The TD Charitable Foundation is accepting applications for its 2010 Housing for Everyone grant competition.

The foundation, the charitable arm of TD Bank, will give $1.7 million to 34 local non-profit organizations that make a meaningful difference in meeting the affordable housing needs of their communities.

The theme of this year’s competition is Capital Improvements for Affordable Housing.

Here are the criteria:

Smart Growth Vermont announced Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) and a Commissioner of VHFA, will receive this year's Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership.

The award honors the work of Arthur Gibb, often referred to as the “Father of Act 250.” Each winner must demonstrate a series of characteristics and achievements in addition to leadership: vision, commitment to public service, creativity, the ability to balance competing interests, integrity and humility.

The U.S. Census is holding a free data workshop in Burlington, Thursday, July 15.

This hands-on event will show you how to access Census data using the online tool American Factfinder. Instructors will teach attendees how to create a custom profile for specific service areas.

The workshop's taking place in the Computer Lab – Room 113T, Waterman Building, University of Vermont, 85 S. Prospect St., Burlington, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The event's free, but space is limited so registration is required. Call Lynn Guthrie at 617.223.3610.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced nearly $190 million in new grants to assist hundreds of local homeless assistance programs across the country.

The Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC) was awarded $120,780 of those funds. (See "HUD awards Vermont CoC funding.")

This is the first time in several years that Vermont's CoC received an increase in these funds.