Last  week (10/5), the Vermont Housing & Communities Show on CCTV Channel 17’s Live at 5:25 segment featured Jen Hollar of the Vermont DEHCD and was hosted by Mike McNamara of HUD's Vermont office.   They were joined by Deanna Frazier from FEMA and Carl Sherrill of the SBA.    The guests discussed actions taken to date by FEMA and the Irene Housing Task Force, short and long-term housing options, and where and how Vermonters can register for assistance. 

When surveyed recently by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, service providers chose availability of job opportunities, state and local budget cuts, and federal budget cuts as the top three most important challenges facing low-and moderate-income communities in New England. Access to affordable housing and home foreclosures rounded out the top five most frequently cited responses.

Review the survey results.

Vermont residents should apply for assistance to help recover from damage inflicted by Tropical Storm Irene as soon as possible. Some types of assistance have fixed deadlines that are fast approaching while others will simply be available on a first come first serve basis.

1. FEMA

Individuals, municipalities, non-profit organizations and small businesses suffering damage from Irene should contact FEMA as soon as possible. You must register with FEMA no matter what you believe the extent of your personal damage is. With flooding, problems like mold can appear years later and be very detrimental for homes.

We are pleased to announce new lower mortgage interest rates for Vermonters purchasing homes through VHFA's mortgage programs.   As of Friday, September 30, 2011, the new interest rates are:

• 3.50% with 0 points for 30 year fixed rate government mortgage loans (FHA, VA, RD-Rural Development)
• 3.75% with .25 point for 30 year fixed rate conventional mortgage loans

Zero down payment loans are available to eligible borrowers.   For a list of participating VHFA lenders please visit http://www.vhfa.org/homeownership/lenders.php