A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston finds that rural New England communities suffered larger economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic relative to nearby urban centers and rural counties across the United States.

Northeastern University graduate student Ben Harrold (he/him) has been named the Summer 2021 Vermont Housing Fellow. Harrold will receive a financial stipend to improve and expand information available to decision makers about Vermont housing markets and opportunities. In addition, the program is intended to provide the Fellow with valuable experience aiding his professional development.

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced last week that its annual allocation of federal housing tax credits will support the construction of 105 permanently affordable apartments in five communities across the state. The sale of the credits is expected to yield over $26 million in funding, which will cover over 60 percent of total development costs. The program is the largest single funding source for affordable housing development in Vermont.

Executive Director Maura Collins announced that VHFA has selected Alejandro Flores-Howland (he/him) of Winooski as its new Legal Coordinator.