The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC) is looking for an AmeriCorps VISTA member to help the organization in a variety of capacities.

The start date will depend on date of application — either in late August or November — and the placement will last one year.

A modest living allowance will be provided, as well as an end-of-service stipend of $1,200 or education award of $4,725.

The new AmeriCorps VISTA member will fill the vacancy created when Danielle Rose completes her term of service with the Coalition in a month.

We're happy to announce VHFA's final four top originators for the past fiscal year:

• Deb Corey, Chittenden Bank
  Bennington
  Bennington County
• Laurie Laliberte, Chittenden Bank
  Rutland
  Rutland County
• Cathy Eakins, Chittenden Bank
  Brattleboro
  Windham County
• Paul Chandler, Universal Mortgage Corp.
  Newport
  Orleans County

VHFA's fiscal year ends June 30, so summer is when we announce all our top originators for the previous year.

You might have recently seen or read stories in the news about the new Vermont Energy Saver Program.

The program is designed to assist Vermont homeowners in reducing energy bills by financing energy efficiency improvements to their homes.

The program's being offered by six regional revolving loan funds, in partnership with the State and VHFA.

It's part of the State's Vermont Food and Fuel Initiative, created to help Vermonters deal with increasing home heating, gasoline and food costs.

Wanda Allaire with Universal Mortgage Corp. in Morrisville is VHFA's top mortgage loan originator in Lamoille County for 2008.

We'll be announcing our remaining handful of top originators next week.

Congratulations, Wanda!