Two measures that help address the affordable housing needs of low-income Vermonters are likely to be passed in federal tax and omnibus spending bills on Capitol Hill this month.

Earlier this week, HUD published the final 2016 Fair Market Rent standards that will take effect as of tomorrow, December 11, 2015. FMRs are intended to represent the dollar amount below which 40 percent of the standard-quality rental housing units in an area are rented. They are used in HUD rental assistance programs, including the Section 8 and HOME programs.

Cathedral Square recently won the Annual TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone Affordable Housing Grant Competition and was awarded $100,000 to help fund the construction of Elm Place.

It's time for VHFA's annual mitten drive. This year, we will be donating stuffed mittens to benefit the Sarah Holbrook Youth Center and the King Street Youth Center. Both programs are vital community resources for children and teens. Please drop off mittens, gloves or hats at the VHFA office at 164 Saint Paul Street, Burlington by Wednesday, December 16th.