A study conducted by the Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE) found affordable housing reduced overall health care expenditures by 12% for Medicaid recipients. By comparing individuals' Medicaid claims in the year prior to moving into affordable housing to their Medicaid claims in the year after moving in, researchers found an average total savings of $576 a year. Seniors and people with disabilities as well as permanent supportive housing reaped the greatest benefit by saving an average of $84 per month ($1,008 per year).

Five years after opening its doors to homeless veterans, Canal Street Veterans Housing is celebrating its success in moving residents to permanent housing and employment. Eighty-seven percent of all residents moved into permanent housing after leaving Canal Street and all of those who were able to work were employed.

Canal Street is a two-year transitional housing program for formerly homeless veterans.  It is the only VA housing provider in Vermont that allows families of veterans to join them in their program.  In 2015, the residents of Canal Street's 28 units included 8 children and two spouses.

Planning has begun for the 2016 Statewide Housing Conference. Held every other year, this is the only comprehensive housing conference that covers a range of topics like development of housing, single family financing, affordable housing, housing policy, local planning for housing, homelessness, and other special topics. Typically this event draws over 450 people and evaluations are consistently positive about the opportunities to network, learn, and be inspired.

The 2016 event will be held Tuesday, November 15 at the Hilton Burlington. Registration won’t open until summer of 2016 but please save the date.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and detailed online at www.vhfa.org/conference.