The Chittenden Continuum of Care (CoC) is seeking grant writing services to prepare an application under HUD’s Fiscal Year 2011 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Competition. As of the issuance of this RFP, HUD has not yet published the NOFA. However, this RFP is being issued in anticipation of the NOFA being published in the summer or early fall of 2011. Proposals are due by 12:00 p.m., Friday, July 22, 2011.
Partner organizations
Report: Average rent more than SSI payment
The national average rent for a modestly priced one-bedroom apartment is more than the entire Supplemental Security Income (SSI) of a person with a disability, according to a study released today by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force and the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC).
"Priced Out in 2010" reveals people with disabilities receiving SSI need to pay 112 percent of their monthly income to rent a modest one-bedroom unit at the published fair market rent (FMR) determined by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
HUD: Chronic homelessness down, family homelessness up
The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) this week released its "2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress."
Despite a troubled economy, the report shows homelessness up less than 1 percent from 2009 to 2010 — from 404,957 to 407,966. According to the report, more than 1.59 million people spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program during 2010. That's a 2.2 percent increase from the previous year.
HUD Deputy Secretary Sims resigns
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims is stepping down from his post at the end of next month.
Sims, who has been HUD's second-in-charge since May 2009, says he's leaving to spend more time with his family in Seattle.
Chittenden County planning organizations to merge
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) will merge July 1.
CCRPC was created by 15 Chittenden County municipalities in 1966 and authorized by state law in 1968.
CCMPO was created in 1983 as a result of the population exceeding 50,000 in the Census defined Urbanized Area. The federal designation as a Metropolitan Planning Organization required the communities in the Urbanized Area to undertake more intensive transportation planning in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
Both organizations provide planning services for all Chittenden County municipalities.
Smart Growth Vermont to merge with VNRC
Smart Growth Vermont (SGV) will merge with the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) effective July 1.
The merger will allow both to "more efficiently and effectively promote land use and community development policies that best serve the state’s ecological, economic and social needs," according to an SGV press release.
Report: Home sales slow
Existing home sales remain depressed and new home sales are at near record lows, according to The State of the Nation’s Housing. The report was released today by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Elevated vacancies and foreclosures continue to place downward pressure on prices, the report states. Where foreclosures are concentrated, property markets are in turmoil. Just 10 percent of neighborhoods across the U.S. account for nearly half of all foreclosures in 2010.
ECOS retreat on cable access
A planning retreat held for Chittenden County's ECHO Project will air on cable access around the county this month and next.
The project's an opportunity to engage citizens, organizations and municipalities in conversation about the future of our communities and the region.
VAHC, VCEH to hire AmeriCorps*VISTA members
The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC) and the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) will hire a shared full-time AmeriCorps*VISTA member for a year-long position as Communications and Outreach Coordinator.
VAHC is also looking to hire a member to serve as Resident Organizer to organize and build leadership among residents living in subsidized housing at risk of losing its affordability.
More information and application forms are at the VAHC Web site.
Name change for Windham Housing Trust
The Windham Housing Trust in Brattleboro has changed its name to Windham and Windsor Housing Trust.
The change took effect May 1.
The organization has also added a second location, at 90 Main St., Springfield. 802.885.3220.
Their new Web site will be live soon.