In states like Vermont where so many homes are heated with oil, potential cuts to the federal program that provides assistance to low-income residents could not come at a worse time. Half of all Vermont homes area heated with oil--far more than the seven percent national average.
Housing in the news
Historic West Rutland buildings converted to energy efficient apartments
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Senator Bernie Sanders was in West Rutland Friday to celebrate the conversion of two historic buildings-- Stanislaus School and a former convent that had been unoccupied for years--into affordable, energy efficient housing.
Hickory Street apartments ready in Rutland
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
The first phase of renovations at the Forest Park apartment complex in Rutland are complete. Residents began moving into the 33 mixed-income apartments on Hickory Street on Thursday.
Vermont Housing Finance Agency provided federal low-income housing tax credits for the project. A variety of other funding sources included the federal public housing program and HOME program.
No FEMA temporary homes for VT
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
FEMA officials have determined that there are enough vacant housing opportunities in the state for residents displaced by Tropical Storm Irene. This means that the use of FEMA standard temporary housing units will not be needed in Vermont. Read more in today's Burlington Free Press.
Happy 25th Birthday, Housing Credit!
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the landmark legislation signed on October 22, 1986 by President Reagan that created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). Congress created the Housing Credit to encourage the construction and rehabilitation of affordable apartments for low-income working families by offering owners of such housing a credit against tax liability for 10 years.
Congress considers housing and community development program cuts
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Operating within the 2011 Budget Control Act’s tight spending limits, Congress is making difficult decisions about which programs to cut in fiscal year 2012. In spite of growing housing needs, both the House and Senate are considering substantial cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget.
State leaders share critical information and witness storm damage first-hand
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Vermont’s legislative and housing program leaders toured the Irene-devastated neighborhoods of Waterbury yesterday and met with FEMA and SBA officials to examine progress and exchange information about the experiences of agencies trying to help.
Read more at VTDigger.org.
TV segment urges Vermonters to register with FEMA
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Last week (10/5), the Vermont Housing & Communities Show on CCTV Channel 17’s Live at 5:25 segment featured Jen Hollar of the Vermont DEHCD and was hosted by Mike McNamara of HUD's Vermont office. They were joined by Deanna Frazier from FEMA and Carl Sherrill of the SBA. The guests discussed actions taken to date by FEMA and the Irene Housing Task Force, short and long-term housing options, and where and how Vermonters can register for assistance.
Top challenges facing low and moderate-income communities
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
When surveyed recently by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, service providers chose availability of job opportunities, state and local budget cuts, and federal budget cuts as the top three most important challenges facing low-and moderate-income communities in New England. Access to affordable housing and home foreclosures rounded out the top five most frequently cited responses.
Review the survey results.
Vermont home sales slow in 2011
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Sunday's Rutland Herald examined a slow down in the volume of home sales in the state in 2011, interviewing VHFA's Excecutive Director Sarah Carpenter and other Vermont real estate experts. Cautious buyers, the elimination of the home buyer tax credit, and tight credit standards and down payment requirements were the primary causes cited.
Read the Herald article online (payment required).