VHFA Director of Development Joe Erdelyi will be a featured speaker at the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association's (NH&RA) Fall Developers Conference in November.

The event will include program updates, case studies, round table discussions and networking events.

A highlight will be the year’s Timmy Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation and the Vision Awards honoring housing and community development leaders for providing affordable housing for America’s families.

Join VHFA Homeownership Outreach Coordinator Erin Perrin (pictured) for "Mortgage Financing in a New Age."

She'll present the four-hour class with Universal Mortgage's Marilyn Morin Roberts at the Vermont Association of REALTORS (VAR) Northeast Real Estate Conference and Expo in South Burlington.

The class runs 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. It's been approved by the Vermont Real Estate commission for four continuing education credits.

Susan LaFerriere, a loan originator for Union Bank in St. Johnsbury, has been named VHFA’s top mortgage loan originator in Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties for 2009.

Congratulations, Susan!

We still have a few more counties to announce soon. Stay tuned ...

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity will receive a $405,000 federal grant to help house victims of domestic abuse.

The recovery act funds will provide scattered site units to women and children to help them transition into permanent housing, as well as support services such as childcare and job development.

"Providing viable temporary housing options and services that promote self-sufficiency are critical and proven steps toward violence-free lives," said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder when announcing the grant.