Columbia University graduate student Riley Burchell has been named the Spring 2021 Vermont Housing Fellow. Burchell will receive a financial stipend to improve and expand information available to decision makers about Vermont housing markets and opportunities. In addition, the program is intended to provide the fellow with valuable experience aiding to her professional development.

Burchell is pursuing dual degrees in Urban Planning and Social Work Policy at Columbia University.  She has interned for two years at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development, most recently facilitating and developing community engagement strategies around the implementation of a community land trust initiative in Far Rockaway, Queens.

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded worldwide, VHFA focused on the shifting needs of Vermonters and stayed the course with long-standing tools and programs. In March, the agency swiftly found ways to support non-profit partners as well as to pivot to fully remote work. By December, it had designed and wrapped up a 6-month Vermont COVID Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program that successfully helped 638 homeowners to remain stably housed after COVID hardships caused them to miss mortgage payments.  

Administration proposal lays groundwork to improve home affordability, lower energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Vermont

Energy and housing leaders applauded Governor Phil Scott’s announcement today in his budget address to invest $25 million in weatherization, which will be leveraged to generate $68 million for projects across the state. Especially for low- and moderate-income Vermonters, weatherization makes housing more affordable by improving the energy efficiency of a home or building. The result is improved health of residents, greater comfort from cold and heat, reduced energy costs, and lower carbon emissions.

Vermont Finance Agency (VHFA) has worked with local financial institutions to fund affordable homes that will be sold to low- and moderate-income Vermonters. Passumpsic Bank, Union Mutual Insurance, Community National Bank, National Life, Northfield Savings Bank, and Union Bank invested in Vermont Affordable Housing Tax Credits available through VHFA.