Now through the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, Nov. 18, we’re spotlighting speakers planning to participate in the day’s bevy of workshops. Next up: Shaun Gilpin, Program Director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity; Mobile Home Project.

At the Mobile Home Project Shaun works with residents to increase control over and improve their living situation within the mobile home parks across Vermont. This encompasses organizing resident associations, educating residents about their rights and advocating for the protection of mobile home park tenants.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday 250 non-elderly Vermonters with disabilities will receive housing assistance.

HUD's awarding nearly $33 million nationwide to fund rental assistance vouchers for this population through its Rental Assistance for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities Program.

$1.17 million is going to fund 200 vouchers available through the Vermont State Housing Authority. Another $287,220 is going to fund 50 vouchers available through the Barre Housing Authority.

Yesterday the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee voted unanimously to support the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010 (S.1481). The legislation reforms the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities.

S.1481 authorizes an innovative 811 demonstration program that promotes integrated housing opportunities for people with disabilities and could create 3,500-5,000 or more new affordable and accessible units every year without increasing Section 811 appropriations. During recent years, the program has produced fewer than 1,000 units annually.

Effective today, revised fair market rent (FMR) levels will be used to determine the amount of assistance paid by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for apartments held by thousands of low-income households across the state.

FMRs increased 7%, relative to last year, reflecting market rents that've continued to rise and methodology refinements HUD made during recent months.

HUD's FMRs differ by county and by the number of bedrooms in the apartment. They're intended to reflect a 40% rent level. That means if the rents in a county were ranked from smallest to largest, the FMR would be the level that occurs 40% of the way down the list.