The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD) and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) Fair Housing Project are hosting five focus groups throughout the state in June to discuss fair housing.
They'll explore the factors that might impact the ability of all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin, of similar income to have the same housing choices.
The state's commenced a six-month process of updating its 2006 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. This is a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development-required report that seeks to identify factors that might affect fair housing choice in Vermont and to develop a five-year action plan to overcome them.
Your input to this process is critical!
DEHCD and CVOEO are seeking input from residents, landlords, housing managers, real estate professionals, public housing authorities, planners, municipal officials, housing developers, policy makers, regulators, and members of the general public. Issues such as reasonable accommodations and modifications, the impact of exclusionary land use practices, Fair Housing Act protections and prohibitions, and more will be discussed.
Each focus group will last approximately two hours, from 6-8 p.m.. A light dinner will be provided for participants.
- Wednesday, June 8, Champlain Housing Trust, Burlington
- Thursday, June 9, Windham Housing Trust, Brattleboro
- Tuesday, June 14, Central Vermont Community Land Trust, Barre
- Wednesday, June 15, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, West Rutland
- Thursday, June 16, Gilman Housing Trust, Lyndonville
Advanced registration is appreciated. To register or learn more, contact Fair Housing Project Director Kevin Stapleton ([email protected]) or Education and Outreach Coordinator Dani Fuoco ([email protected]). Both can be reached at 802.864.3334.