U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced nearly $190 million in new grants to assist hundreds of local homeless assistance programs across the country.

The Vermont State Housing Authority announced the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC) was awarded $120,780 in homeless assistance as part of an annual competition from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The award provides housing subsidies to eligible participants of a new Shelter Plus Care: Sponsor-Based Program.

The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus published an article today following last month's release of VHFA's annual "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Housing and Wages in Vermont" report.

"Despite a decline in prices for homes in Vermont for the first time since 1992, the cost of housing continues to be a struggle for Vermonters, particularly first-time home buyers," writes Eli Sherman.

Yesterday, VHFA was awarded nearly $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury in exchange for $289,500 of Housing Credit the Agency had awarded to the Upper Story development in Brattleboro.