Two interesting economic-related reports were released recently:

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston releases housing related economic indicators monthly. The results, shown in the table below, are from the October release.

Vermont's home prices have dropped less than New England's and the nation's, and the drop in the number of permits has been about equal to the decrease nationally.

Interestingly, the number of existing home sales has declined more in Vermont compared to nationally. According to VHFA's analysis of Property Transfer Tax records, through the end of September the number of home sales was down 26 percent from the same time last year (this would include new and existing home sales).

Gov. Jim Douglas appointed Thomas N. Pelletier of Montpelier to be chairman of the VHFA Board of Commissioners. The change took effect upon the Governor’s appointment Tuesday.

“Tom’s been a highly-respected member of Vermont’s lending community for more than a decade and has served on our Board since May 2008,” says Executive Director Sarah Carpenter. “We welcome him as VHFA’s new Board chairman.”

Numbers released yesterday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) show foreclosures and mortgage loan delinquencies were at a record high in the third quarter of 2009.

Nationally, approximately 14 percent of all home loans were either delinquent or in some stage of foreclosure.

Vermont's numbers aren't nearly as bad (See map).

Read the Washington Post's story about the report.

VHFA Policy and Planning Manager Maura Collins participated in an affordable housing panel discussion Tuesday night at Champlain College in Burlington.

She joined speakers from Champlain Housing Trust and the Committee on Temporary Shelter's Housing Resource Center to address students about to participate in the college's annual "Tent City."

Maura spoke about the current housing market, the housing needs of lower-income Vermonters, and the realities of homelessness.