The Vermont Banking Division of the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration is now offering Vermonters free, confidential mortgage assistance on its new toll-free number: (888) 568-4547.

Gov. Jim Douglas has appointed Thomas N. Pelletier of Montpelier to the VHFA Board of Commissioners.

"Tom's been a highly-respected member of Vermont's lending community for a decade," says Executive Director Sarah Carpenter. "We're all looking forward to the energy and fresh perspective he'll bring to our Board."

VHFA Loss Management Specialist Polly Thibault has won the first award in the Agency's current walking program.

Polly won a gift card to Healthy Living Natural Foods in South Burlington for walking the most steps of any staff member last week: 68,687!

VHFA has just published "The Costs and Benefits of Assisting Vermont's Chronic Homelessness."