In states like Vermont where so many homes are heated with oil, potential cuts to the federal program that provides assistance to low-income residents could not come at a worse time.   Half of all Vermont homes area heated with oil--far more than the seven percent national average. 

As the cost of oil rises, Vermonters and other New Englanders have found this program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program  (LIHEAP), critical to covering winter heating bills.

The Federal Reserve Board has announced that borrowers who think they may have been financially harmed in the mortgage foreclosure process in 2009 and 2010 can now request an independent review and potentially receive compensation. Servicers are required to compensate borrowers for financial injury resulting from deficiencies in their foreclosure processes. Below is a list of participating servicers.

Read more here.  To apply borrowers may call 888-952-9105 and visit http://www.independentforeclosurereview.com/ for details.

Individual homeowners, renters, businesses, or others who suffered losses as a result of flooding at the end of August are eligible for assistance to repair homes or to recover other losses. Even if the damage is minor, or if you are unsure whether damage will be covered by federal grants, individuals should apply ASAP. The deadline for applying for both FEMA and SBA assistance is November 15, 2011.

Senator Bernie Sanders was in West Rutland Friday to celebrate the conversion of two historic buildings-- Stanislaus School and a former convent that had been unoccupied for years--into affordable, energy efficient housing.  

Not only were historic buildings that already contained four apartments preserved, but 17 new affordable apartments were created with innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy design features.  The Housing Trust of Rutland County, led by Elisabeth Kulas pictured here with Sanders, developed the project.