About 90 vacant federally assisted apartments will be available to Vermonters displaced by Tropical Storm Irene, thanks to a federal waiver from the U.S. Treasury Department granted at the request of Governor Peter Shumlin and through the Vermont congressional delegation’s advocacy.

Vacant apartments subsidized through the federal low-income housing tax credit program usually require residents to meet certain income eligibility requirements, disqualifying some Irene victims. Governor Shumlin requested a temporary waiver of the income requirements due to the housing demand created by the storm. Treasury Secretary Geithner granted the waiver on Friday.

As Vermonters repair or rebuild their homes, Efficiency Vermont can provide advice on replacing damaged insulation and on how to address health and safety issues. In addition, Efficiency Vermont has financial assistance available for air sealing, replacing insulation, heating and hot water systems as well as rebates on ENERGY STAR® clothes washers, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators.

For more information call  1-888-921-5990 (toll-free) or www.efficiencyvermont.com/irene.

Home Share Now is facilitating short-term and long-term home sharing matches for people displaced by Irene. If the flood has left you homeless, or you have room in your home to share during this time of crisis, contact 802-479-8544 for more information about home sharing.

Learn more about home sharing at HomeShareNow.org.

Jane Lindholm discussed options for Vermont homeowners with damage from Tropical Storm Irene today on VPR's Vermont Edition.   Guests from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)  urged affected residents to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), visiting FEMA's website at www.disasterassistance.gov.

 Hear or read more about VPR's story.