About 90 vacant federally assisted apartments will be available to Vermonters displaced by Tropical Storm Irene, thanks to a federal waiver from the U.S. Treasury Department granted at the request of Governor Peter Shumlin and through the Vermont congressional delegation’s advocacy.
Vacant apartments subsidized through the federal low-income housing tax credit program usually require residents to meet certain income eligibility requirements, disqualifying some Irene victims. Governor Shumlin requested a temporary waiver of the income requirements due to the housing demand created by the storm. Treasury Secretary Geithner granted the waiver on Friday.
Sarah Carpenter, VHFA's executive director, said, “The state housing agencies have been working closely to identify and make available as many housing resources as possible to the victims of Tropical Storm Irene. We are pleased to give Vermonters impacted by the flooding additional resources to help them recover.”
A list of available properties can be found at VHFA’s housing website at: www.housingdata.org. Flood victims can directly contact the property manager of an available property. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development encourages victims to be sure they are registered with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. Landlords who have available private rental units are encouraged to call FEMA at 1-866-330-5286. Second homeowners willing to offer their vacant homes to flood victims are encouraged to call 1-866-330-5286.