Legislation

The Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) is seeking public feedback to help design the Clean Heat Standard. The CHS will have a significant impact on low and moderate income Vermonters and may offer new resources to help increase efficiency and decarbonization in affordable housing. A public engagement session will be held on Thursday, June 6th.

On June 7th 2022, Governor Scott signed legislation that provides $15 million in funding for the Missing Middle-Income Homeownership Development Pilot Program. The program will be initially funded from a portion of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act funding. The program will provide subsidies and incentives for home builders to construct or rehabilitate modest homes affordable to Vermont homebuyers at 120% of Area Median Income or lower. VHFA launched the program in December 2022.

MIDDLEBURY, VT - With many Vermonters feeling stuck because of the increasing costs of homes and the dire lack of availability, officials announced a new program to build more moderately priced homes across the state. The Missing Middle-Income Homeownership Development Program will provide subsidies and incentives for home builders to construct or rehabilitate modest homes affordable to Vermont homebuyers at 120% of the area median household income or lower. 

As a member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), we are excited to be a sponsor of this year's Legislative Breakfast being held this Friday, December 9, at the historic Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington.

BURLINGTON, VT. Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announces the launch of the First Generation Homebuyer Program, with a goal of helping more Vermonters afford their first home. This program provides a grant to eligible homebuyers whose parents or legal guardians were likely unable to pass on the generational wealth homeownership can provide. 

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced new guidelines that will significantly increase Vermont’s ability to use pandemic recovery funding to directly support the development of affordable housing and reduce costs for Vermonters. 

**Update 6/24/2022: Review draft program guidelines. 

The mission of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is to finance and promote affordable, safe, and decent housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters.

Embedded in that mission is the need to consider the holistic cost of renting and owning, meaning not just the upfront cost of housing, but also the cost of living in it long term.

Vermont learned last month that its population grew by a slim 2.8% between 2010 and 2020, less than the national average of 7.4%. But by planning to invest millions in American Rescue Plan Act funds in homes and neighborhoods, Vermont policy makers have embraced the opportunity presented by this decade to accelerate community and economic vibrancy.

The Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan includes a program that would bring $8 million in housing tax credits each year for affordable homeownership in Vermont.