The State of Vermont has nominated HomeShare Vermont, an organization that provides matching services for homesharing and caregiving, for a national award.

The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living has nominated the South Burlington non-profit as a "Program Champion" in recognition of the Agency on Aging's Older Americans Month.

HomeShare Vermont was one of only three Vermont organizations to receive a nomination. Representatives from the organization will be honored at a ceremony in Gilman with Gov. Jim Douglas on May 7.

You can watch a new 10-minute video about HomeShare Vermont, produced by CCTV Productions, right here:

Spring marks the beginning of work on VHFA's annual report/wall calendar.

For the past several years, we've published our annual report in the form of a wall calendar to remind folks of the good work VHFA does year-round in the name of affordable housing.

We're looking for recent homeowners with VHFA mortgage loans who're willing to be photographed for the report.

The procedure's relatively painless: 30-60 minutes of your time to let us snap some photos of you and yours outside your home some sunny day this spring or summer.

Burlington's Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) has started accepting registrations for its annual COTS Walk event, to be held Sunday, May 4.

The 3-mile walk around downtown Burlington raises money and awareness to benefit COTS's mission to provide emergency shelter, services, and housing for the homeless.

A number of VHFA staffers will be joining the walk this year.

For more information, or to register, head to the COTS site.

(Photo: Milia Bell)

Today marks the date in 1974 that Gov. Thomas Salmon signed legislation creating Vermont Housing Finance Agency.

In the past 34 years, we've helped about 26,000 Vermonters purchase primary residences; and have provided financing, development and management support, subsidy administration and tax credits to 7,400 units of multifamily rental housing.

Happy birthday to us!

Coincidentally, today also marks the 40th anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act, signed into law on this date in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson.