The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced yesterday more than $4 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds have been invested to spur development of affordable housing around the country.

Fifty housing authorities have received payments in lieu of tax credits to stimulate construction and completion of affordable housing projects. Vermont has been allotted $11.7 million of those funds.

Yesterday's release of the 2010 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment received some TV and newspaper coverage.

Vermont’s aging housing stock is inadequate, causing low-income households to spend more of their money on housing than they can afford, according to the 2010 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment.

The report was released at a press event this afternoon at the Vermont Statehouse (pictured).

VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter and Policy and Planning Manager Maura Collins spoke at the event.

The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD) is looking for assistance in determining Vermont’s Consolidated Plan for 2010-2015.

The department's holding a series of community meetings — which we posted about Dec. 4 ("Help Develop Vermont's Consolidated Plan") — and has announced three more meeting dates: