Robert McBride (center, right) and Richard Ewald (center, left) received the 2008 Vermont Community Leadership Award from the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD).

USDA/Rural Development State Director and VCRD Board of Directors Chairwoman Jolina LaClair (right) and VCRD Director Tony Elliott (left) presented the two the award at the 2008 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference held last Tuesday.

Melinda Bussino (right), Executive Director of the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center, has received the Housing Hero award.

VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter presented Melinda with the award at the 2008 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference held last Tuesday.

She received the award for her years of commitment and leadership providing comfort and shelter to homeless Vermonters, and her tireless advocacy on their behalf.

Seven Days, Burlington's weekly alternative newspaper, focuses on housing this week.

In the issue published today, titled "Home Front: Vermonters get a grip on the housing crisis," you'll find five housing stories.

Writer Pamela Polston, who's also an owner of the paper, spoke with VHFA Public Affairs Manager John Fairbanks for her story "Room to Move," examining the "bronze lining," as John describes it, in the current downturn.

We've placed 65 photos from yesterday's Vermont Statewide Housing Conference online.

You can see them on the conference Web site.