November 6, 2020 will be the last day for Vermont homeowners behind on their mortgage payments due to COVID to submit applications for mortgage assistance grants.  Funded by the federal CARES Act, Vermont Mortgage Assistance grants for up to 6 months of missed payments are available to any homeowner who meets eligibility criteria, even if they have already arranged a forbearance agreement. 

Vermont sealed the approval of legislation this week to ease the challenges faced by residents seeking to add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to existing residential properties. 

ADUs are small houses or apartments that exist on the same property lot as a single-family residence. This once-popular home type is re-emerging as an affordable and flexible housing option that can help meet the growing needs of older adults and young families.

VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins traveled the western side of the state in late September to celebrate the completion of 46 newly constructed and 40 renovated perpetually affordable apartments. “Affordable housing is needed now more than ever as we begin to recover from COVID-19," Collins remarked. “In addition to providing affordable, stable homes for Vermonters, these apartments boost the local economy, connecting residents with jobs and local businesses.”  

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its latest report on the characteristics of tenants living in apartments funded by federal housing tax credits as of 2017. The data reveals that Vermont renters living in tax credit housing are older and more racially diverse than Vermont households overall. The report also suggests that Vermont’s subsidized apartments tend to be more affordable than those in other states.