Officials at Vermont 2-1-1, the free referral service operated by the United Ways of Vermont, report more calls this year have been regarding housing assistance than in 2007.

An article in this morning's Burlington Free Press provides some numbers: Through last month, calls in 2008 regarding housing totaled 1,916, compared to a total of housing-related calls in 2007 of 2,089.

In Chittenden County, housing-related calls through last month totalled 590, compared with a total of 669 for last year.

The article quotes Vermont 2-1-1 Director MaryEllen Mendl as saying, "It's not just that people can't afford housing anymore; they can't keep what they have."

This is the latest of several quick bios we'll blog of speakers scheduled to appear at the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, Nov. 18 in South Burlington.

Read about other speakers scheduled to present at the event and register to attend at the conference Web site.

VHFA bid Multifamily Management Officer John Burczy farewell as part of a general staff meeting this morning. John, who has been with the Agency just months shy of 20 years, will conclude his tenure this Friday.

With a respectful nod to John's trademark fashion accessory, many staff members wore Hawaiian shirts to the meeting.

In lieu (or luau) of a greeting card, staff signed a poster featuring classic guitars for the musical aficionado.

In an email to staff, Director of Multifamily Programs Sam Falzone noted, "John has carved out a permanent place in collective consciousness.

Central Vermont Community Land Trust (CVCLT) has named Eileen Peltier Executive Director.

Eileen, who lives in Calais, has been the land trust's Director of Finance and Administration for the last year.

Read the CVCLT's press release.