A study released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) concludes government pays more to provide the homeless with emergency shelter than it would to provide permanent rental housing.
"We are paying for a form of housing that is largely substandard, and we are paying as much, if not more, than standard conventional housing," according to University of Pennsylvania professor Dennis Culhane, quoted in USA Today.
The study is based on 9,000 families and individuals.
More than 100 supporters traveled to the Statehouse for the recent Legislative Day to build awareness and support for the Vermont Housing & Conservation Coalition.
The Center for Housing Policy's "Paycheck to Paycheck" report, released today, ranks Burlington, Vt., the 47th most expensive homeownership market out of 206.
The city ranks the 35th most expensive rental market out of 210.
"Purchasing a home remains unaffordable for many key community workers despite historically low mortgage interest rates and steep drops in home prices," according to a release issued by the center.
Yesterday Mortgage Orb published an article by Phil Hall, Editor of Secondary Marketing Executive, recalling VHFA's Sugar Mae program from the early '90s.
"If Sugar Mae wasn't the right idea for its time, then at least it showed willingness to address thorny local issues in a creative manner," Hall writes. "On that point, it deserves to be remembered."