VHFA News

By:
Mia Watson

The State of Vermont’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be holding a public hearing to receive comments on its draft of the 2019 HUD Annual Action Plan at 5:30 PM this Thursday, April 11 at the Bethel Town Hall.

The Consolidated Plan outlines priorities for the use of approximately $13 million in federal funds Vermont will receive for affordable housing in the upcoming program year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020). Programs covered by the plan include the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and HOME program, administered by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, respectively, and the Emergency Solutions Grant, administered by the Vermont Agency of Human Services.

VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins was recently appointed to the Community Development Advisory Board, which awards grants under the CDBG program. She also sits on the Consolidated Plan Advisory Group.

Proposed changes to the Consolidated Plan include setting aside CDBG funds for Scattered-site Housing Revolving Loan Funds, reducing the match requirements for most CDBG grants to 10 percent, and increasing the maximum Access Modification grant award to $100,000.

DHCD continues to accept written feedback in addition to comments during the public hearing. Meeting details and the full draft 2019 Consolidated Plan are available on DHCD’s website.