Yesterday was pay up day for our friends at Housing Vermont who graciously served VHFA staff a delicious lunch in honor of our 2016 Way to Go Challenge Carbon Throwdown win. 

The friendly competition resulted in estimated savings of 6,475 miles of driving as 43 staff from the two agencies used alternative means of transportation during the 2-week competition in October.  

Way to go!

At the biennial Vermont Statewide Housing Conference on November 15, two statewide leaders were honored for their service and achievements. Representative Helen Head received the “Legislative Housing Hero” award for her years of commitment to affordable housing.  Head has served as South Burlington’s representative to the Vermont House of Representatives since 2003 and as Chair of the House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs since 2007.  She also helped lead Project Home (now HomeShare Vermont) and the Joint Urban Ministries Project (JUMP).  Head also volunteers with and on behalf of Hospice of the Champlain Valley, Dismas House and Small Potatoes. 

BURLINGTON-The message to the hundreds of professionals gathered at the Hilton Burlington yesterday was loud and clear: A stable life starts with stable housing.  Scholars Kathryn Edin and Luke Shaefer described the poignant interviews they had with poor families before writing their renowned book “$2.00 A Day: Living on Next to Nothing in America.” 

“When we asked what they needed most, people consistently said they wanted a home of their own and a job paying $10-$12 hour.” Without the safety of four walls, poor families live in a highly volatile “toxic alchemy” of threats and obstacles, Edin explained.

Get your holiday shopping started in style by bidding on one of the many beautiful themed baskets in VHFA's auction to raise money for the United Way.  Bidding closes at noon on Wednesday, November 16.  

Check out our auction web page to browse the wide variety of baskets stuffed with valuable goodies and opportunities.  The highest bidder should be available to pick up his or her basket.  

Happy bidding!