Monthly Archives: March 2015

With over 1,500 Vermonters without housing on any given night and families with children now making up half of all people in emergency shelters, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Human Services Secretary Hal Cohen today announced a statewide strategy for ending child and family homelessness in Vermont by 2020. The Governor and Secretary made the announcement while celebrating a grant of more than a half-million dollars to rehabilitate and increase the number affordable housing units in Chittenden County, helping to relieve a shortage that affects all of those who face homelessness.

As the Northeast emerges from one of the most brutal winters on record, Rep. Peter Welch and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) have rallied a bipartisan coalition to fight for full funding of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In a letter to the House Appropriations Committee penned by Welch and King, 146 lawmakers stressed the critical importance of this safety net program to struggling families.

Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after news that the unemployment rate in Vermont dropped to 3.9 percent, the lowest point since May 2007.

Before the next big storm hits, Brandon businesses and residents are invited to attend a community forum to discuss ways the town can recover quickly from devastating floods and remain open for business.

Montpelier, VT – March 26, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Before the next big storm hits, Brandon businesses and residents are invited to attend a community...

Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Chris Coons (D-CT) and Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) announced today that they are introducing identical bipartisan bills in the Senate and House encouraging and expanding the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESCs) in federal government buildings.

At yesterday’s meeting, the City Council endorsed the use of an innovative streetscape design guide that will serve as a foundation for future roadway improvements. The Urban Street Design Guide, developed in 2013 by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) – an organization of transportation leaders in forward thinking cities – provides a flexible toolbox for cities to make streets safer, more livable, and more economically vibrant.

Money is available for Vermont communities for the purpose of mitigating the effects of future disasters on public infrastructure and some private property. Communities, tribal organizations, and private non-profit organizations may still apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds following the most recent federal disaster declaration and previous disasters

This week, VT Digger reported more on the strain that this year’s winter weather has put on the emergency housing budget. Read the article below or click here to view on their website: In February, temperatures dropped to minus 19 degrees at the Burlington International Airport, breaking a record that stood since 1914.

Chris Donnelly, director of community relations for the Champlain Housing Trustand Vice Chair of the VAHC Steering Committee, wrote this piece for theBurlington Free Press on making affordable housing for the workforce a priority.

Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) is seeking proposals, on behalf of the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH), from qualified applicants to become the HMIS Lead Agency to serve the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care geographic area.

Hinesburg is one of several communities that was recently awarded a Community Development Block Grant from the Vermont Community Development Program. Read how Champlain Housing Trust, Housing Vermont, and Snyder Homes plan on using these funds to build 23 new affordable housing units in this article from the Burlington Free Pres

MyChamplainValley.com recently reported on a new, affordable senior housing complex in Milton that is set to begin construction later this year, spearheaded by Cathedral Square Corporation. To read more about it view the article and video footage below or here at their website

Sunshine Week is a time to celebrate one of our nation’s most basic values, the public’s “right to know.” Our very democracy is built on the idea that our government should not operate in secret. James Madison, a staunch defender of open government, whose birthday we celebrate each year during Sunshine Week, wisely noted that for our democracy to succeed, people “must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.” Transparency enables the American people to hold their government accountable

Thirteen Vermont cities and towns will receive more than $4 million in grants to make them more resilient, affordable, and accessible, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced last week. The municipalities will use the funds to build and improve affordable housing, complete disaster repairs, make public spaces accessible to all residents, and revitalize community centers.

The municipalities will use the funds to build and improve affordable housing, complete disaster repairs, make public spaces accessible to all residents, and revitalize community centers.

The Senate Tuesday morning began debate on legislation approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation, a form of modern day slavery that affects thousands of people every day. 

Vermont Federal and Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty will walk you through the complete home buying process and answer any of your questions. Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will also be onsite to answer questions. Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) will also be onsite to answer questions.