Today President Bush signed into law the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HR 3221). The measure provides housing organizations with a number of new tools to help slow home foreclosures and finance affordable houses and apartments.
The new legislation is a major step forward for Vermonters and the nation, according to our Executive Director Sarah Carpenter, but the work isn't finished yet.
The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is presenting two free events in our region in August.
"Building Green for Rural Communities" is a day-and-a-half roundtable and tour taking place starting at 2 p.m. Aug. 11.
Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) has received a World Habitat Award from UN HABITAT.
The United Nations agency, whose goal is to promote shelter for people worldwide, will present CHT officials with the award at its World Habitat Day event, Oct. 6 in Luanda, Angola.
UN HABITAT presents two such awards a year — one in the northern hemisphere and another in the southern — to recognize "practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems."
Saturday morning, on a vote of 72-to-13, the U.S. Senate passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (H.R. 3221).
The Senate chose not to amend the House-passed bill. It now goes to President Bush, who is expected to sign it.