The American Institute of Architects, in conjunction with HUD, is now accepting entries for the 2016 Housing and Community Design Awards Program. Owners of structures and architects licensed in the United States are invited to submit project designs of any size, budget, or style. Only projects completed after January, 1, 2011 will be considered for the awards. All entries must be submitted electronically before November 20, 2015 at 5:00 pm EST.
Nerds rule VHFA Halloween festivities
The finance and accounting experts on VHFA's second floor showed their true colors today, creatively attired as a band of geeky nerds. They had the company of most VHFA staff, who joined the fun of competing in the "Best Costume" competition with get-ups ranging from Dumbledore and cat burgler to someone dressed as an HTTP error and another as jelly beans.
From all of us at VHFA to all of Vermont's ghosts and goblins, have a safe and happy Halloween!
Funding and design assistance available for rural communities
The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) has issued a request for proposals to rural communities interested in applying for funding to host a community design workshop in 2016 or 2017.
CIRD offers annual competitive funding to six small towns or rural communities to host a two-and-ahalf day community development and design workshop. With assistance from a wide range of design, planning, and creative place making professionals, the workshops are intended to bring together local leaders from non-profits, community organizations, and government agencies to develop actionable solutions to the communities’ pressing development challenges.
Taking a walk becomes a learning experience in Burlington's King Street neighborhood
There is no better way to learn about Burlington's land-mark affordable housing preservation efforts of the early 1980s than to take a walk around VHFA's offices. More than 200 apartments in the King Street area were renovated and preserved as affordable housing through partnerships between VHFA, HUD, the City of Burlington and local housing providers.
VHFA's Multifamily Management Director Sam Falzone realized he could show staff first-hand the benefits of this initiative by leading small-group lunch time tours of the neighborhood. All but six of the apartments renovated through this initiative 33 years ago remain critical components of Burlington's affordable rental housing stock today.