The Missing Middle-Income Homeownership Development Program (Missing Middle) recently received an additional $9 million through the Fiscal Year 2023 State Budget Adjustment Act. This funding is available to both applicants who previously submitted applications earlier this year as well as new applicants to the program. All developers and builders who have projects which would be affordable under the parameters of the Missing Middle program are encouraged to apply, especially for projects in geographic areas of Vermont that were not previously awarded program funds.

Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is recruiting for a Director of Human Resources & Administration. Named one of the “Best Small/Medium Places to Work in Vermont” several times over the last few years, VHFA offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

The most recent data available has been added to the Vermont Housing Data website at www.housingdata.org which is managed by VHFA. The updates to the website include the most recent American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau as well as new data from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the Vermont Department of Taxes, the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) Out of Reach report, and more. The data available on HousingData.org provide a variety of visualization for housing indicators in every town and county in Vermont. This data can be used to help identify housing trends and need within the community for everyone from lawmakers to nonprofits and local governments. 

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced last week that its annual award of federal housing tax credits will support the construction of 112 homes in perpetually affordable apartment buildings in four communities across the state. The sale of this year’s tax credits to investors is expected to yield over $28 million in funds covering an estimated 60 percent of total project development costs.  

These housing construction projects will take place in a uniquely challenging environment. Elevated development costs, interest rates and housing needs among Vermonters heavily influenced project planning. The cost of developing a unit of rental housing in Vermont has increased 36% since 2018.