The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced yesterday that its annual allocation of federal housing tax credits will support the development of 130 permanently affordable apartments in five communities across the state.
Development
LIHTC housing leads to higher incomes and educational attainment
By: Mia Watson
New national research from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation finds that children who grow up in housing funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) program are more likely to enroll in higher education programs and have higher earnings as adults. The federal LIHTC program, which is administered in Vermont by VHFA, is the largest single source of funding for affordable rental housing development in the state.
VHFA seeks public comment on Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan
By: Mia Watson
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is seeking feedback and comments on the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) that guides the agency in making housing tax credit allocation decisions. The Agency has opened the initial comment period and will close the period on Friday, April 15, 2020. The current 2020-2021 QAP is available on VHFA’s website.
Location matters for housing affordability
By: Maura Collins
This commentary by VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins appeared recently in VTDigger
Housing affordability can’t be judged just on how much it costs to rent or buy a home. Although those indicators are important, the total costs of housing, both for households and the community, depend heavily on where the home is located.
Vermont Housing Finance Agency completes successful sale of state tax credits
By: Mia Watson
Pleasant Hills in Bristol celebrates redevelopment
By: Mia Watson
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.
Whose voices are heard in local decision making?
By: Mia Watson
In our increasing complex system of government, housing is one of few policy areas that is still largely decided at the local level. Resident input can have a significant influence on the number and types of homes that are built in a community. However, a study of local governments in Massachusetts reveals that people who participate in planning and zoning meetings often do not match the demographics of their communities as a whole.
Vermont launches Zoning for Great Neighborhoods project
By: Mia Watson
Earlier this week, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched the Zoning for Great Neighborhoods project, an initiative aimed at helping Vermont cities and towns break down the regulatory barriers preventing them from meeting the housing needs of Vermonters.
Ribbon cutting celebrated at Wentworth Community Housing
By: Mia Watson
Earlier this week, local leaders, housing developers and new residents gathered in White River Junction to celebrate the opening of Wentworth Community Housing. The project, developed by Twin Pines Housing and Housing Vermont, created 30 one and two bedroom apartments, 21 of which will be rented at rates affordable to low income Vermonters.
VHFA to hold outreach meetings on QAP updates
By: Mia Watson
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will be holding a series of outreach meetings to seek comments on the draft 2020 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP is a compilation of IRS mandates, national best practices and state housing priorities that sets eligibility and criteria for awarding state and federal tax credits to developers of affordable housing.