The Vermont Resident Services Coordinators (VRSC) invites you to join them on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 for a training workshop. The workshop will be followed by the VRSC member meeting. The training workshop and meeting will be held at the historic Royalton Academy Building in Royalton, VT.
Housing in the news
Number of U.S. households with worst housing needs grew 8 percent in 2013-2015
Despite continued signs of a strengthening national economy, HUD's reported this month that severe housing problems are on the rise. In 2015, 8.30 million households had worst case needs, up from 7.72 million in 2013. These households are defined as very low-income renters who do not receive government housing assistance and who paid more than one-half of their income for rent, lived in severely inadequate conditions, or both. High rents in proportion to renter incomes remain dominant among households with worst case needs, leaving these renters with substantial, unmet need for affordable housing.
McKnight Lane exemplifies Vermont's bold steps toward energy independence
The 14-unit McKnight Lane rental housing neighborhood in Addison County captured national attention this week as the New York Times spotlighted the bold initiatives of Green Mountain Power to reduce its customers' dependence on the electrical grid.
VHFA’s down payment assistance program funded by Union Bank
This morning Union Bank funded nearly $600,000 of Vermont Housing Finance Agency’s (VHFA) highly successful “ASSIST” down payment assistance program. By purchasing Vermont Affordable Housing Credits for the past three years, Union Bank has helped nearly 500 Vermont households buy their first homes.
Interested buyers who qualify for a VHFA mortgage can receive up to $5,000 in the form of a no-interest second mortgage to help with down payment and closing costs. The down payment assistance requires no monthly payments, with repayment to VHFA due only when the home is sold or refinanced. VHFA uses repayments to continue funding the program for future homebuyers.
Legislature passes largest affordable housing bond in state history
With the passing of the State budget and enactment of a bond that could produce $35 million, Vermont is making its largest single commitment ever of state dollars for affordable housing. VHFA will issue the revenue bond and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) will administer the funds statewide to expand Vermont’s stock of permanently affordable housing.
The Governor will sign the budget bill containing the bond on Wednesday, June 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the Ceremonial Office at the Vermont State House in Montpelier.
Red Clover Commons ribbon cutting
Executive Director Sarah Carpenter joined Brattleboro Housing Partnerships and other agencies in Brattleboro, on May 25, 2017 to celebrate the opening of Red Clover Commons, a newly constructed 55-unit building for seniors and people with disabilities. These homes are intended to replace units at Melrose Place which were severely damaged from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.
The project will offer support for residents through the Support and Services at Home program (SASH). The project incorporated numerous energy efficient features including a new geothermal heating and cooling system. The building is centrally located near various public services such as public transportation, shopping and the hospital.
HUD Secretary Carson kicks off Homeownership Month!
June is National Homeownership Month, which gives us a chance to celebrate the ways homeownership opportunities have improved in the last year, as well as reflect on ways we can improve in the coming year. To kick off the month, US Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary Ben Carson will be discussing the history and outlook of homeownership at 2pm EDT on June 1st, 2017.
There will be a webcast of the event.
US Department of Housing and Urban Development states the following about their discussion on Thursday:
New England Federal Credit Union gives $1 million for affordable housing
New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) President/CEO John J. Dwyer, Jr. announced today a $1 million grant from NEFCU to Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) to address the critical need for affordable housing. The money will be awarded by VHFA over the coming year to several housing developments that have funding shortfalls.
Homelessness fell by 12 percent last year in Chittenden County
The annual count of people living in Chittenden County who are homeless decreased by 12% from the previous year, according to the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance. This continues a declining trend that has brought the number of people who are homeless in the county down 45% over the past four years. The Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, which VHFA has partnered with since 2003, is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and government who support a vision of a safe, decent, affordable, stable home for every person and family in Chittenden County.
Need an affordable apartment?
Need an affordable apartment or know someone who does? There are vacancies in 23 different apartment complexes across the state, according to the Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing.