VHFA joined housing partners in Williston last week to celebrate the completion of major renovations at Whitney Hill Homestead. The project, developed by Cathedral Square, preserves 44 apartments for older Vermonters. The event was also attended by former VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter, who was CEO of Cathedral Square when Whitney Hill was first developed using VHFA-awarded tax credits in 1992. The renovation project received state and federal tax credits and loan awarded by VHFA.
Elderly
Updates needed to Vermont's list of vacant subsidized rental homes
To help re-house Vermonters in living quarters rendered unsafe by COVID-19, owners and managers of Vermont's subsidized apartments are encouraged to list all vacancies on the Vermont Housing Data website. In addition to Vermonters who find themselves in need of rental housing, HUD and FEMA both use this vacancy list to coordinate disaster recovery.
New report finds more Vermont seniors receive rental housing assistance than younger counterparts
Roughly 9,000 Vermont senior households receive some form of financial rental help compared to 8,000 younger households, according to a report recently completed by VHFA on the distribution of rental subsidies by age group.
Pleasant Hills in Bristol celebrates redevelopment
VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins joined Housing Vermont and Addison County Community Trust (ACCT) in Bristol last week to celebrate the redevelopment of Pleasant Hills. The complex offers 16 affordable one and two bedroom-apartments for seniors in a village setting. The project received the majority of its funding from federal tax credits and loans awarded by VHFA.
Nation’s housing stock inadequate for changing demographics
America’s housing stock was primarily built for nuclear families, yet fewer and fewer households fit into that category, according to Making Room: Housing for a Changing America, a new report from AARP. The report argues that communities need to create housing that is more affordable and accessible for single-person, senior, and multi-generational households.
Heritage Courts senior housing celebrates major renovation
Residents of Heritage Courts in Poultney are celebrating the recent renovation of their apartment complex. The $3.1 million project was managed by the Housing Trust of Rutland County, which owns the property. The project was funded in large part by VHFA, which awarded both state and federal tax credits as well as loans. This renovation allows Housing Trust of Rutland County to preserve 17 affordable apartments for seniors while significantly improving the energy-efficiency of the complex.
New improved Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing goes live
Based on feedback from property managers and apartment seekers, VHFA launched this week a redesigned, user-friendly Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing at www.housingdata.org. We improved search tools and expanded the site to include more information people looking for an apartment need, such as rent and income limits, property photos, proximity to public transportation, accessibility features and pet policies.
Development of the new website was supported in part by TD Charitable Foundation, AARP Vermont and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s HUD Inclusive and Vibrant Communities Vermont Grant.
Elm Place ribbon cutting
Governor Phil Scott joined by Executive Director Sarah Carpenter and others on June 5, cut the ribbon on the newly-constructed, 28,000 square foot Elm Place, an affordable residence for seniors, located in Milton.
Elm Place is considered a “passive house” due to its impressive energy savings. Some of these savings come from its cold climate air source heat pumps, a rooftop solar array and LED lighting. A few of Elm Place amenities include an elevator, exercise room, on-site storage, kitchen, lounge, laundry facilities, covered parking and an outdoor courtyard, including garden beds for resident use.
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.
Bradley House renovations celebrated in Brattleboro
VHFA supported the renovation and expansion of Bradley House in Brattleboro with the commitment of a $3.1 million construction loan and its staff was gratified to attended the project's ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.
The development is a Level III Residential Care facility that serves seniors in need of a variety of services, and the expansion will increase the number of residents served from 28 to 35. The wonderfully elaborate building that will be renovated was built in the 1860s and an attached new wing will be added to allow this expansion. The facility is owned and run by Holton Home Inc. and is their second such property in Brattleboro.