AOL News published an opinion piece yesterday by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and David Abromowitz, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and partner at Goulston & Storrs in Boston.

"Foreclosures dominate the news," they write, but "there's a larger and more worrisome housing crisis ahead: a looming shortage of affordable rental housing.

"One credible estimate is that over the next 30 years, we may need to add more than 50 million new housing units of all types to meet the demand.

"Are we on track to meet this need? The short answer is no. But it is possible to do so."

The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus published an opinion piece today by former VHFA Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard White.

In the piece, titled "State conservation board's work is essential," Richard writes, "It is no accident that Vermont ranks last in the country in the rate of foreclosure or that the 2004 study of Vermont's housing nonprofits had high praise for the system that Vermont has built over the last quarter century.

"Our local banks engaged in responsible lending, and regional housing agencies have provided homeownership counseling and foreclosure intervention work for years.

Today VHFA bids farewell to Staff Accountant Sara Hoehn, who's soon returning to the Lone Star State.

Sara's time with the Agency was brief, but we appreciate the good work she did while she was here.

Good luck, Sara!

We're pleased to announce our first "Platinum" sponsor of the 2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference:

• Winooski Housing Authority

Platinum is the highest level of sponsorship commitment for the event.

Two other organizations have signed on to sponsor the event, as well: