Vermont learned last month that its population grew by a slim 2.8% between 2010 and 2020, less than the national average of 7.4%. But by planning to invest millions in American Rescue Plan Act funds in homes and neighborhoods, Vermont policy makers have embraced the opportunity presented by this decade to accelerate community and economic vibrancy.

VHFA will be hosting two public meetings on June 1 and June 3 to discuss how to use federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to serve Vermont homeowners. The Homeowners Assistance Fund, created by the act, will provide Vermont up to $50 million over the next 3 years to provide assistance for mortgage payments and other expenses troubling homeowners with pandemic-related hardship.

Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has selected Abigail Colbeth (she/her) of Williston and Michael Plunkett (he/him) of Fairfax to join its Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) team. 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB)'s 2021 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) will begin to accept applications on June 7. The program will award grants and low-interest loans through member institutions to organizations promoting homeownership and rental housing opportunities for low income households.