The State of Vermont’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is inviting the public to complete a survey on community needs to inform its upcoming HUD Consolidated Plan. 

The 5-year HUD Consolidated Plan outlines priorities for over $10 million in funding that Vermont will use for affordable housing and community development from 2020 through 2024. DHCD's survey asks for input on local needs for public facilities, job creation, housing and homelessness, which will be incorporated into the plan. 

New England Resident Service Coordinators Inc. (NERSC) is calling for nominations for its annual Excellence in Service Award. The award recognizes outstanding achievement and extraordinary performance among Resident Service Coordinators, housing management companies and others working in the field of housing services throughout New England.

Nominations can be made for either individuals or groups that have displayed visionary thinking and successfully implemented programs or modified the way they perform service coordination to better meet the future needs of their residents. Instructions on how to submit a nomination are available on NERSC's website.

Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has selected Eric Hoffman of Essex Junction as its new Manager of Business Development – Homeownership.

Hoffman comes to VHFA from Champlain Housing Trust, where he served the community for more than five years as a Home Education Counselor helping Vermonters gain access to safe and affordable housing. He holds a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. Hoffman briefly practiced real estate law in Vermont before entering the non-profit sector. He currently holds a part-time professorship at Champlain College where he teaches real estate law.

VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins joined Lieutenant Governor Dave Zuckerman, Mayor Miro Weinberger, affordable housing advocates, and future residents at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday at Laurentide Apartments in Burlington. The new building, developed by Champlain Housing Trust and Housing Vermont, offers 76 apartments including 52 affordable apartments for low and moderate income households. The project received the majority of its funding from federal tax credits and loans awarded by VHFA.