A new paper was released today that highlights the intersection of affordable housing and education, and the benefits that an affordable home provides kids in terms of their ability to learn in school. In the report, Rebecca Haslam, an elementary school teacher, is quoted saying, "Kids experiencing housing challenges feel disconnected from their communities, which is even more damaging to their ability to access the academics... they're just not ready."

Vermont was placed among states with the fewest apartments available for deeply low-income renters by a recent study from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.  For every 100 renters in the state, only 11 units are affordable and available to renters making less than 15% of the area median income, the researchers estimated.

After reviewing comments, the Vermont Public Service Department has revised Vermont’s building energy standards and submitted them to the Secretary of State as part of the rulemaking process. Public hearings to discuss the proposed standards will be held on September 19^th.

VHFA is looking for a firm (or combination of firms) to perform one or a combination of financial advisory services. We’ve published a request for proposal (RFP) document at www.vhfa.org to help us in our search.

The contract will likely begin in October 2014. Deadline for replies is September 10, 2014.

Learn more about the RFP online, and don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] with your questions. We’ll be posting your questions, and our answers, on the RFP page.