Although Vermont communities face hard work in turning the tide of declining housing affordability, consensus is growing about the most effective ways to do this. At a recent gathering convened by Fannie Mae and the Urban Institute, business, government and non-profit leaders agreed that many of the root causes and solutions to the nation’s housing affordability crisis are tied to local action.
Whose voices are heard in local decision making?
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.
VHFA seeks public comment on Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan
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 is opening the comment and feedback period effective April 23, 2019 and will close the period on Friday, May 24. The current version of the QAP is available on VHFA’s website.
Vermont towns can improve housing affordability
With town meeting day behind us and many new faces elected to local office across the state, this post shares a few key housing resources for towns.
Interim Zoning in South Burlington likely to reduce housing affordability
Due to its upward pressure on home prices, VHFA urged the South Burlington City Council this week to end the ban on home building known as Interim Zoning. South Burlington adopted the Interim Zoning Bylaw on November 13, 2018 after protests about future home building proposed within the City.
Improve health through housing at the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference
Consensus is growing quickly that improving housing options is essential to improving the health of Vermonters. Released this week, early results of the 2019 Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties Community Health Needs Assessment show affordable housing as the top-ranked concern among social and environmental health challenges.
Federal Financing Bank Risk Share Initiative extended through Dec. 2018
HUD announced last week that it will extend the multifamily risk-sharing initiative with the Federal Financing Bank for VHFA and other eligible U.S. housing finance agencies (HFAs). Created in 2015, this initiative has provided much-needed access for HFAs to the U.S. Treasury’s Federal Financing Bank.
VHFA seeks Executive Director applicants
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.
Vermont House approves expanding popular VHFA down payment assistance program
Last week the Vermont House approved H. 922 which includes provisions from an earlier bill (H.766) that expands VHFA’s Down Payment Assistance Program. The bill is now passed over to the Senate and earlier this week was read and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.