A news headline we spotted yesterday took us by surprise: According to CNN.com, "Nearly 75% of homes are affordable."

A closer examination of the story reveals a couple of key conditions to their definition of affordable: "Nearly anyone with a decent job and a good credit score [our emphasis] can afford to buy ..."

The story caught our attention as we put the finishing touches on this year's "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Housing and Wages in Vermont," our annual report on the state of Vermont's housing costs in relation to wages.

Burlington's Fox 44 TV covered the credit report review workshop held at Champlain Housing Trust earlier this week ("Free credit report reviews today"):

Thanks to the newest sponsor of the 2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, coming Nov. 18:

• KPMG

Take a look at our sponsorship rate sheet and if you’d like to sign on, contact Maura Collins.

The Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) in Burlington has several job openings it's looking to fill:

• Development Director
• Single adult shelter staff
• Family shelter staff
• Shelter staff "subs"

Read detailed job descriptions and learn how to apply at the COTS Web site.