Faced with housing problems only made worse by recent disastrous floods, Vermonters will have an opportunity to learn more and discuss causes of homelessness with state and national housing experts on Monday, July 24, at noon. The virtual policy forum will feature University of Washington Professor Gregg Colburn, author of the recently published book Homelessness is a Housing Problem.
Events
Learn more about the “10% in Vermont” local investment program
A webinar on applying for the “10% in Vermont” local investment program will be held at noon on April 17, with applications for the program due June 1, 2023. The program was announced earlier this week by State Treasurer Mike Pieciak who was joined by VHFA’s executive director Maura Collins, state and local leaders and community members.
FHLBank Boston hosts Community Forum on April 19, 2023
FHLBank Boston is hosting the Community Impact and Partnership Forum for Vermont lenders and community leaders.
Learn how members, sponsors, and community developers can successfully partner with FHLBank Boston to support the creation of affordable housing and promote homeownership and economic development in their communities. Network and build partnerships. The second half of the forum will include training focused on the 2023 Affordable Housing Program. Lenders – bring your development partners. Housing developers – bring your lenders!
Innovative state program funds new homes for middle- and lower-income Vermont buyers
On Monday, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners awarded $14.2 million to 12 projects totaling 92 homes across eight counties as part of the Missing Middle-Income Homeownership Development Pilot Program (Missing Middle-Income Program). The program represents the largest single investment in the state’s history to create new homeownership opportunities. Signed into law by Governor Scott in June of 2022, the program was established by the Vermont Legislature with an initial investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
Sara Bronin, nation's expert on broad impacts of zoning, to keynote November Statewide Housing Conference
This year's Vermont Statewide Housing Conference on November 16, 2022 will feature keynote speaker Sara Bronin, a Mexican-American architect, attorney, professor, and policymaker whose interdisciplinary work focuses on how law and policy can foster more equitable, sustainable, well-designed, and connected places.
VHFA receives $4 million Capital Magnet Fund award to support 300 affordable homes
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) joined Representative Peter Welch in South Burlington yesterday to announce a $4 million award from the federal government that will support the development of over 300 affordable apartments across Vermont over a three-year period.
Public feedback sought for Missing Middle Homeownership Program
**Update 6/24/2022: Review draft program guidelines.
On June 30th, from 1:00-2:30 pm, Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will host a web forum to review proposed guidelines and key components of the Missing Middle Homeownership Development Program. This session will offer an opportunity for comments and feedback on how the Missing Middle Program will be implemented.
Save the date for the 2022 Statewide Housing Conference
Planning has begun for the 2022 Statewide Housing Conference. After cancelling the conference in 2020, resuming this in-person, biennial conference feels like a welcome step out of the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic towards Vermont’s “new normal.”
April is Fair Housing Month
April is Fair Housing Month, an opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of the 1968 Federal Fair Housing Act, while also increasing our efforts to end housing discrimination, expand housing opportunity and raise awareness of housing rights.
The Fair Housing Project of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) and statewide partners are hosting a number of events throughout the month. These include:
Spotlight on ARPA resources for affordable housing
In the newest installment of VHFA's housing video series, VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins interviews Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Policy Director Jennifer Hollar on how federal American Rescue Plan Act pandemic recovery funding is being used to create new affordable homes for Vermonters.
The interview discusses how $144 million in new state and federal funding is being allocated, with 1,158 new homes expected to be created by the end of 2023. Already, 459 of those homes have been designated for Vermonters who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.