HUD Secretary Julian Castro described his hopes for the transition to new leadership during an interview with NPR yesterday. 

A congressional confirmation hearing, scheduled for Thursday, will provide an opportunity for nominee Ben Carson to share his goals for U.S. housing policy. 

Castro met with Vermont housing officials in Burlington last summer and attended the opening of the new Bright Street affordable rental housing complex.  

Since it was signed into law as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) has become our nation’s most successful tool for building and preserving affordable rental housing.  By providing an incentive for private sector investment, the Housing Credit has financed nearly 3 million apartments across the country for low-income workers, families, seniors, veterans, and those with special needs.  It creates opportunities for the millions of families and individuals in our country today who otherwise would pay an excessive portion of their income for housing, live in substandard and overcrowded conditions, or face homelessness. 

Please join us at the State House in Montpelier on January 5 to renew Vermont's commitment to ending homelessness.  The day will include time to meet with lawmakers and experts to discuss effective strategies Vermont could use to conquer remaining challenges in ending homelessness. A vigil will also be held to remember those who have died without homes and the hundreds of Vermonters still searching for safe, secure housing they can afford.  

The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition is co-sponsoring this event with the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness. 

With the outdoor temperature near zero, VHFA’s Steve Gronlund headed out this afternoon to deliver candy-stuffed gloves, mittens and hats for at least 100 kids to the King Street Center. The Edlund Company partnered with VHFA this year to collect gear donations from staff and friends.

The mitten drive is a much-loved annual tradition that is part of VHFA’s year-long schedule of charitable activities.