When surveyed recently by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, service providers chose availability of job opportunities, state and local budget cuts, and federal budget cuts as the top three most important challenges facing low-and moderate-income communities in New England. Access to affordable housing and home foreclosures rounded out the top five most frequently cited responses.

Review the survey results.

Vermont residents should apply for assistance to help recover from damage inflicted by Tropical Storm Irene as soon as possible. Some types of assistance have fixed deadlines that are fast approaching while others will simply be available on a first come first serve basis.

1. FEMA

Individuals, municipalities, non-profit organizations and small businesses suffering damage from Irene should contact FEMA as soon as possible. You must register with FEMA no matter what you believe the extent of your personal damage is. With flooding, problems like mold can appear years later and be very detrimental for homes.

We are pleased to announce new lower mortgage interest rates for Vermonters purchasing homes through VHFA's mortgage programs.   As of Friday, September 30, 2011, the new interest rates are:

• 3.50% with 0 points for 30 year fixed rate government mortgage loans (FHA, VA, RD-Rural Development)
• 3.75% with .25 point for 30 year fixed rate conventional mortgage loans

Zero down payment loans are available to eligible borrowers.   For a list of participating VHFA lenders please visit http://www.vhfa.org/homeownership/lenders.php

Yesterday, FEMA postponed the deadline for registering for infrastructure assistance to October 17th.  By this date, government agencies and certain private non-profit organizations needing funds to rebuild infrastructure damages caused by hurricane Irene must register with FEMA. 

FEMA's Public Assistance (Infrastructure) program reimburses state and municipal governments for the cost of eligible emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities and parks, and other recreational facilities damaged during a disaster.