The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has named Vermont a finalist in a competition for up to $5 million to help preserve and improve affordable housing.

The state's proposal, submitted by Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB), is one of 21 finalists selected from more than 80 submissions.

"Wellness 2008" continues at VHFA tomorrow with the start of our "Eight-Week Walking Program."

Participating staff are gearing up with pedometers (pictured) to count their steps and measure the miles they walk between May 3 and June 27.

Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper declared the week of May 18-24 "Montpelier Affordable Housing Week."

Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies has just released "America's Rental Housing: The Key to a Balanced National Policy."