In an opinion piece published in this morning's Burlington Free Press, Vermont Bankers Association President Chris D'Elia assures readers that, despite news of bank failures in other parts of the country, "Vermont banks are responsible, trustworthy institutions," and "your deposits are quite safe."

This is the fourth of several quick bios we'll blog of speakers scheduled to appear at the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, Nov. 18 in South Burlington.

Staff members have begun to fill up the VHFA food pantry to benefit the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.

By bringing a non-perishable food good each day this week, staffers can "buy" the right to dress casual for the day.

An article in this morning's (Barre-Montpelier) Times-Argus cites Vermont's cost of housing as just one of a number of financial hardships that makes it difficult for young Vermonters to stay in the Green Mountains.

"Whether a job or a wage is 'good' depends greatly on the cost of living, and cost of living largely means housing," the article states. "And the price of housing in Vermont has become costly, especially for young people just starting out."