BURLINGTON—Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Executive Director Sarah Carpenter received an Honorable Mention in the 2006 NeighborWorks® Government Service Awards. Carpenter received the honor at a ceremony held at the NeighborWorks® Training Institute in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 14. Vermont State Senator and South Burlington City Council Chairman Jim Condos also received an Honorable Mention at the event. “I’m flattered by the mention and proud of VHFA’s accomplishments,” Carpenter says. “In recent years, I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of exciting new mortgage innovations like our Cash Assistance rate option, helping borrowers with downpayment and closing costs; significant policy initiatives, including creating and increasing the Vermont Affordable Housing Tax Credit; and award-winning outreach and education projects such as the Vermont Housing Awareness Campaign and Vermont Housing Data Web site.” The NeighborWorks® Government Service Awards recognize public officials and other leaders who’ve made significant contributions to improving the lives of the people in their communities and/or expanding the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. It’s given to one individual at each level: local, state and federal. “Sarah Carpenter has shown an unwavering dedication to, and support for, public policies that advance community revitalization goals,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks® America. “With so many Americans struggling to afford housing, the commitment demonstrated by Sarah at the state government level is ever more important. Her leadership has helped transform Vermont, and we are proud to honor Sarah for her invaluable service to affordable housing.” Carpenter has been a prominent and effective advocate for affordable housing in Vermont for more than 20 years. Under her tenure, VHFA has become known for its creativity and effectiveness in its programs; for its leadership in housing policy and advocacy; and for its many contributions to improving the state’s housing delivery system, including its support for Vermont’s NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Centers. Carpenter, a native of Burlington, Vt., was appointed VHFA Executive Director in December 1998. From 1983 to 1998, she served as Executive Director of Cathedral Square Corp. in Burlington. She received a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in social work from the University of Vermont, graduating cum laude. NeighborWorks® is a national nonprofit organization created by the U.S. Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts. Vermont’s network of six NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Centers provides homebuyer education, credit and budget counseling, financial assistance for homebuyers and more. Learn more at www.getahome.org. VHFA was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1974 to finance and promote affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters. Since its inception, the Agency has helped more than 25,000 Vermont households with affordable mortgages and financed the development of almost 7,000 affordable rental units. Learn more at www.vhfa.org.

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