Fox 44's nightly newscast interviewed VHFA's Leslie Black-Plumeau, Research and Communications Coordinator, about the new website: Vermont Rental Housing Codes. As described in Housing Matters last week, the site provides guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet.
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Vermont's rental housing codes all in one (online) place
VHFA launched a new website today: Vermont Rental Housing Codes. The site provides guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet.
“Finally landlords, tenants, and municipalities have one place to look for rental codes, instead of searching through several different websites to cobble together what applies to them,” said Executive Director Sarah Carpenter. “For most renters –and landlords – it has been hard to know exactly what applies to them and who is responsible for what. This site tries to clarify the most common questions.”
Housing director dies in tragic accident
Phil Holmes, long-time promoter of affordable multifamily housing at HUD’s Manchester office, died tragically last night in a motorcycle accident.
Through his many years of work with the Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont housing manager associations, Phil became a good friend to many owners, managers and agency staff. Phil was a was strong advocate of HUD’s risk share insurance program and expansion of computer learning centers in HUD assisted housing. He was also well known for his involvement with Northgate Apartments and support for resident control and ownership.
Sam Falzone, VHFA’s Director of Multifamily Programs, described his death as “a tremendous loss to the affordable housing community throughout northern New England.”
Funding awarded for 15 new vouchers for homeless veterans
Vermont will be able to permanently house 15 more homeless Veteran households in affordable housing with supportive services available thanks to a recent award to the Vermont State Housing Authority. The funding is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) program and is a coordinated effort by HUD and the Veteran’s Administration (VA) providing funding to local housing agencies.
VHFA lowers home mortgage loan interest rates
VHFA lowered our home mortgage loan interest rates today.
Our Government program — 30-year, 0 point, fixed rate — is 4.75% (4.75% APR).
Our Conventional program — 30-year, 0.25 point, fixed rate — is 4.875% (4.9% APR).
Read about VHFA's home loan programs online. If you're unsure which program might be right for you, we have a quick online quiz you can take to help.
New homeownership income, purchase price limits
Last Friday, VHFA adjusted our home loan income and purchase price limits. Now, more Vermonters will be able to purchase homes using VHFA's low-interest mortgages.
Income and purchase price limits vary by county and help determine which homebuyers and
properties are eligible for VHFA financing. Income limits are ceilings on what households can
earn and still qualify for VHFA mortgages; purchase price limits are the maximum price a
home can sell for and still be eligible for VHFA financing.
Read more in this morning's press release (PDF) and view all the new limits online.
Good luck, Pat!
VHFA staff sent off retiring Director of Homeownership Programs Pat Crady with a potluck luncheon today, complete with mariachi band. (How we managed to pull together a 4-piece mariachi band from our own ranks stands as a testament to how multi-talented our staff is. I think.)
Pat's retiring from her position after working for the Agency for 26 years.
Good luck, Pat!
How to apply for flood assistance
Residents of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties who were affected by flooding have 60 days to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
There are 3 ways to apply:
- Call 1-800-621-3362
- Go online to fema.gov
- Apply in person:
- Mallets Bay Fire Department, Church Road, Colchester
- 10 Precision Lane, Swanton
- 140 Fishers Pond Road, St. Albans
To apply, you'll need:
Small housing development gaining traction on West Coast
Local governments in Portland, Ore., Los Angeles, Calif., and Kirkland, Wash., have taken steps to promote small housing development, according to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's case studies clearinghouse.
Portland's Living Smart Program offers permit-ready "skinny home" plans — plans pre-approved by the city council that have already passed life, safety, and structural review — that developers can acquire to build on small, infill lots in the city's neighborhoods.
For sale: 41 Country Way, Barre
VHFA has listed for sale a home at 41 Country Way, Barre. The price for the three-bedroom, two-bath house is $100,000, after a $75,000 grant.
This house is one of the latest to come through the Housing Acquisition & Rehabilitation Program (HARP), where VHFA acquires foreclosed properties from banks, renovates them, and resells them to income-eligible Vermonters.