The Board of Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announced today the selection of Maura Collins of Essex Junction for the position of Executive Director. Collins will step into her new role on the first of the year when Sarah Carpenter, the agency's Executive Director for the past 20 years, retires. Since joining VHFA in 2002, Collins has held several positions at the agency, most recently as Deputy Director.
Employment
Decline in household incomes raises concerns about VT economy
By: Mia Watson
A recent article in the Burlington Free Press highlights Vermont’s stagnating household incomes, raising concerns over the strength of its economy and the ability of its residents to afford housing.
Chittenden County Homeless Alliance is hiring!
By: Mia Watson
The Chittenden County Homeless Alliance has an opening for a detail oriented, consensus building, people-person to serve as a part-time coordinator for the mission to end homelessness in our community. This unique and interesting 20 hours per week position offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.
In a cooperative arrangement, this position will be based at Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), located in downtown Burlington, Vermont.
VHFA seeks Executive Director applicants
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), located in Burlington VT, is seeking an Executive Director who will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency and as such directs and administers all programs, operations, and activities, and oversees the organization of the staff and departments. The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners and performs such duties and functions as they may prescribe, as well as fulfilling the role of Secretary of the Agency.
Executive Director Sarah Carpenter announces retirement from VHFA
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announced today that later this year Sarah Carpenter, Executive Director, will be retiring, after twenty years at the agency’s helm. “As a result of Sarah’s vision and skill thousands of Vermonters have moved into decent, affordable homes since she arrived at VHFA in 1998,” said Randy Amis, chair of VHFA’s Board of Commissioners. “She has expertly led VHFA’s financial activities and programs, built strong partnerships and shared her deep expertise with state and federal policy makers. Vermont is a better place to live thanks to Sarah’s impact.”
VHFA’s Mia Watson wins Marshall E. Dimock Award
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
In recognition of her scholarly and professional achievements, VHFA’s Research and Communications Coordinator Mia Watson received the Marshall E. Dimock Award as a graduate of UVM’s Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program.
The award was presented by MPA program director Christopher Koliba during UVM’s graduation festivities in May 2018.
First-time home buyer testifies about importance of Vermont Down Payment Assistance Program
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Yesterday, Ryan Rush-Booth, a Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) borrower who lives in Stamford, VT, testified at the State House in support of doubling VHFA’s Down Payment Assistance program funding. Rush-Booth works in IT at Southwestern VT Medical Center. When they first moved to Vermont six years ago, Ryan, his wife, and their two young children moved in with family because they could not find affordable housing.
Chittenden County leads state in jobs to homes imbalance
By: Leslie Black-Plumeau
Chittenden County has the biggest imbalance between its share of VT jobs and homes, according to recent VHFA analysis. Although 33% of the state's jobs are in Chittenden County, the state is home to only 28% of the state’s workers and only 25% of the state’s homes. This is likely caused in part by workers living in Franklin County, where the share of homes outnumbers the share of jobs, who commute to Chittenden County for work.
Washington County also has an imbalance similar to Chittenden’s, but on a much smaller scale.
Sarah Woodward joins VHFA as Development Underwriter
By: Mia Watson
Executive Director Sarah Carpenter announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has hired Sarah Woodward of Barre for the position of Development Underwriter. Woodward comes to VHFA from Aeon in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked as a site manager and compliance technician for affordable housing developments. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Vermont who previously worked for the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity on mobile home parks and other housing issues.
Zach Nelson joins VHFA as Homeownership Business Development Coordinator
By: Will White
BURLINGTON-Executive Director Sarah Carpenter announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has hired Zach Nelson of Burlington’s North End for the position of Business Development Coordinator-Homeownership. Nelson comes to VHFA from the Burlington Free Press where he was an Account Executive. “Zach’s background in developing marketing campaigns and digital marketing solutions will be valuable in marketing for the Agency’s mortgage products”, Carpenter remarked. In addition, Nelson will work with the Manager of Business Development to increase support to VHFA’s lending partners a