The Brattleboro Co-op / Canal & Main Apartments building received the 2015 Creating Community Action Award through HUD Secretary's Housing and Community Design Awards. This site, located in downtown Brattleboro, was redeveloped by the Brattleboro Food Co-op, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust and HousingVermont. VHFA provided Housing Tax Credits as well as long term financing on the project.

The question of whether to rent or buy a home has been a huge issue facing many Vermonters. David Adams, chief of program operations and Leslie Black-Plumeau, research and communications coordinator at VHFA were both interviewed in May by the Champlain Business Journal discussing the issues pertaining to the decision to buy a home in Vermont.

Governor Shumlin signed legislation last week that provides up to $5,000 to qualified buyers for closing costs and down payments. Sarah Carpenter, VHFA's executive director, was interviewed by VPR yesterday to talk about the program.

NORTHFIELD—Governor Shumlin signed legislation today that will help Vermonters buying their first home through VHFA by providing up to $5,000 for qualified buyers to cover the costs typically faced at closing due to down payment and closing costs. 

The new down payment assistance program is part of a larger economic development bill, passed by the Vermont Legislature in the final days of the session.  The program will be available through VHFA’s network of participating lenders late this summer.