The Urban Institute recently released an article about how an equity lens is essential to mitigating the effects of hotter summers that are expected in the future due to climate change. As our climate continues to rise, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are much more likely to experience hotter summers and the effects that come with it, even compared to higher income neighborhoods in the same area. This, along with less access to air conditioning and cooler buildings, means that marginalized communities are most vulnerable to the health risks associated with climate change.

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced new guidelines that will significantly increase Vermont’s ability to use pandemic recovery funding to directly support the development of affordable housing and reduce costs for Vermonters. 

KeyBank is our newest Platinum level sponsor of the 2022 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference. For over 20 years, the conference has drawn hundreds of Vermonters interested in affordable housing together. After cancelling the conference in 2020, we are excited to again host an in-person event on November 16th at the Hilton Burlington. 

Over $11 million of a $50 million program to pay overdue housing costs for homeowners impacted by the pandemic has been disbursed within the first six months of the program. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) launched the Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) in January 2022 with funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. It provides grants of up to $30,000 for income-eligible homeowners.