Housing policy

VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins joined Representative Peter Welch at the future site of Juniper House in Burlington last week to promote the federal Moving Forward Act, a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package recently passed by the House of Representatives.

Earlier this week, the Local Support and Community Action Team released its interim report with recommendations on how Vermont can begin its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Local Support and Community Action Team of the State of Vermont Economic Mitigation and Recovery Task Force needs your help prioritizing high impact ideas and actions identified by diverse stakeholders for COVID-19 recovery.  The task force was established by Governor Scott to help mitigate the short-term economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and develop strategies for

VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins was recently interviewed by Anne Wallace Allen of VTDigger.  The interview discussed why housing continues to be a major challenge for Vermont, and how the state and local communities can help make housing more affordable.

Excerpts from the interview are reprinted below:

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.

Caroline Rubin, a graduate student at University of Vermont, has been named the inaugural Vermont Housing Fellow by VHFA.  Rubin will receive a financial stipend to improve and expand information available to decision makers about Vermont housing markets and opportunities. In the process, she will gain valuable experience aiding her professional development.

This commentary by VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins appeared recently in VTDigger

The State of Vermont’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is inviting the public to attend a series of community outreach meetings around the state to inform its upcoming HUD Consolidated Plan.  

In 2019, the Vermont Legislature passed Act 48, which included asking the State Treasurer to evaluate and report on options for funding and financing affordable housing in the state.  This report is due on January 15, 2020.