This week the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners approved plans to sell $37 million of bonds during the week of January 8, 2018 as the first Sustainability Bonds to be issued in the State of Vermont. Building upon the strength of the market in Green Bonds and the growing interest in socially responsible investments, the designation as “Sustainability Bonds” will enable VHFA to maximize funding for the “Housing for All” initiative enacted by the Vermont Legislature in 2017. Bond proceeds will be administered by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board to create 550-650 homes statewide for low- and moderate-income Vermonters.
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CVOEO releases illustrated guide for Vermont renters
The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) has released a digital version of An Illustrated Guide to Vermont Renter’s Rights. The guide is narrated by visually striking cartoons that explain tenant rights and responsibilities throughout the rental process, and suggests resources for renters who need additional assistance. The guide is currently available in English, French, Arabic, and Nepali.
Main Street Grant applications due December 31
National Life Group has doubled their investments in charitable giving this year to 2 million dollars. Part of the National Life Group Foundation’s giving will support Main Street Grants, a new project designed to support revitalizing downtowns. As we all know, affordable housing is often a key component of strengthening our state’s downtowns. Municipalities, community partners, and housing organizations should go to National Life’s website soon to learn more about this exciting opportunity because applications are due at the end of December.
Honoring 30 years of impact as Connie Snow retires from Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
Vermont housing partners honored Connie Snow last week as she retires from her role as Executive Director of Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. Snow has led the housing trust in this region for 30 years, since it was first established in 1987.
Read more about Snow's accomplishments in this in-depth story from The Commons.
VAHC: House and Senate Tax Bills Will Decimate Affordable Housing In Vermont
The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC), a state leader in housing policy, research and advocacy, issued the following statement last week on the tax bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and under consideration in the Senate:
At a time when Vermont already has a shortage of 10,866 affordable homes for extremely low income renters and the 5th highest affordability gap for renters in the country, the pending tax proposals would eliminate tax credits and financing tools that have helped create thousands of affordable apartments in our state and made homeownership more affordable for thousands of Vermonters.
Free workshops for Vermont towns on updating local addresses for Census 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau is offering Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) 2020 Workshops for Vermont cities and towns, in partnership with the Vermont State Data Center and the Vermont Center for Geographic Information. For your convenience, workshops will be hosted at two sites. A webinar is also being offered.
Vermonters weigh federal tax reform proposals
When the Senate and House released their initial tax reform proposals last week in Washington, Vermont's Congressional delegation went to work to protect valuable resources that are part of the tax code, such as private activity bonds and housing tax credits. Tax programs are responsible for most affordable housing developed in Vermont in the past 30 years.
House Tax Bill ‘Would Have Devastating Impact on Affordable Housing in New England’
From the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition -
Allard Square construction is underway
Cathedral Square Corporation, affordable housing partners and South Burlington officials came together this week to celebrate the start of construction of Allard Square.
The 39-unit apartment building is expected to be open to residents this time next year, with rents for the majority of units being well below market rate.