Gov. Shumlin announces $350,000 investment in Vermont Rural Housing from USDA

MONTPELIER – November 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced that four rural housing programs in Vermont have received funding through the USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant program. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack selected recipients in 45 states to improve housing conditions for low- and very-low-income rural residents.

Grants may be used to make general repairs, such as installing or improving plumbing, or enhancing access for people with disabilities. Funds may also be used to make homes more energy efficient.

The following four Vermont projects received funding:

• Vermont Center for Independent Living, Inc. (Rural Economic Area Partnership): $100,000

• Southeastern Vermont Community Action: $50,000

• Gilman Housing Trust, Inc. (Rural Economic Area Partnership): $100,000

• Northeast Employment & Training Organization (Rural Economic Area Partnership): $100,000

“As federal dollars become increasingly scarce, we welcome these grants that will help Vermonters in the most rural parts of our state,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin. “Combined with our state investments, these funds will make homes safer, more accessible and more energy efficient — improvements the owners and residents could not afford on their own.”

“These lifeline investments in housing improvements will make lives and communities better,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch. “The Northeast Kingdom’s Rural Economic Area Partnership Zone standing is the key to three of these grants. Again and again, the NEK’s REAP Zone has been a catalyst for growth, for progress and for helping to build a durable rural economy. It’s a program that works, and it deserves to be renewed in the pending Farm Bill.”

“USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant Program helps ensure Vermonters have access to safe and affordable homes, a bedrock of community and economic development that helps our rural economies thrive,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Ted Brady. Brady noted that these funds are another reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed as soon as possible.