On Wednesday, May 28th, Gov. Jim Douglas signed into law H.863, the comprehensive housing and land use bill passed by the Legislature on the final day of the 2008 session.

Wednesday's signing ceremony marked the end of more than two years of work by VHFA and several housing partners, along with the administration, legislators and interest groups ranging from Smart Growth Vermont and the Vermont Natural Resources Council to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the Vermont Bankers' Association.

VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter joined other development and funding partners yesterday at the grand opening of Burlington Co-Housing East Village.

This $8 million mixed-income development represents nearly 15 years of planning and organizing by the Burlington Co-Housing Development LLC.

VHFA provided $6.1 million in construction financing to the 32-unit development.

51% of these homes were sold according to VHFA's affordability limits. Nine of these homes will be perpetually affordable though the Champlain Housing Trust and VHCB.

VHFA Chief of Program Operations David Adams received the fourth weekly award in the Agency's current walking program.

Dave won a gift certificate to Ben & Jerry's for more than doubling his miles walked from last week. (We presume he'll use that certificate for some sorbet or other heart-healthy snack.)

We're at the mid-way point of VHFA's eight-week walking program, encouraging staff members to wear Agency-supplied pedometers to count their steps and increase their physical activity.

Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce Vice-President George Malek told the Montpelier City Council that the Capitol City could be better off if it built more housing.

Malek's comments came last week as the Council discussed alternative revenue sources for the city, including a possible local option tax.

Read more about housing and Montpelier's budget in this article from the Times Argus.