The Vermont Economy Newsletter released its annual housing affordability analysis yesterday.

Its claim — that housing in Vermont is more affordable now than at any time since 2003 — is disputed by affordable housing advocates and organizations, such as VHFA.

WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reported on the analysis yesterday, quoting the newsletter's primary author, Art Woolf; Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition's Erhard Mahnke; and VHFA Policy and Planning Manager Maura Collins.

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network launched PreventLoanScams.org, a site where homeowners can report alleged scams.

"Homeowners at risk of foreclosure can be easy prey for home loan modification scammers. Troubled homeowners lose time and money when they are tricked by con artists who promise to help but never do,” said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Our friends at USDA/Rural Development have a new State Director for Vermont and New Hampshire.

Molly Lambert of Swanton has been confirmed in the position.

Molly's a former President of the Vermont Captive Insurance Association who served as Secretary of Commerce and Community Development in the cabinet of Gov. Howard Dean from 1998 to 2002.

Rural Development administers more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs from 500 offices nationwide.

Kutak Rock LLP has signed on to sponsor the 2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference.

Signing up early gets your organization more bang for its buck. All sponsorships include your logo on the conference Web site.