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VHFA seeks public input on state’s most urgent rental housing needs

VHFA's Executive Director Sarah Carpenter announced today that interested parties are invited to submit comments on how housing tax credits are allocated.  Housing tax credits are Vermont’s primary funding source for developing affordable rental housing.  The comments will be considered during this year’s upcoming revisions to Vermont’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP).
Cheryl and Marc Cesario

Local Grass-Fed Beef Business Doubles Acreage through Conservation

Cheryl and Marc Cesario, farmers of Meeting Place Pastures, purchased 90 acres from their neighbor, Matt Bonner, who had conserved the land with the Vermont Land Trust in order to make it more affordable to the Cesarios.

Gilbert’s Hill Protected for Future Generations

This month, the Vermont Land Trust sold the 112-acre Gilbert’s Hill property along Route 12 to new owners Mary Margaret Sloan and Howard Krum. The land is now permanently protected for public recreation, historic preservation, and natural and scenic resources

Secretary of State Jim Condos Urges Vermonters to Register and Vote

Secretary of State Jim Condos would like to remind all Vermonters that the deadline to register to vote in the August 9th Statewide Primary is Wednesday, August 3rd. "Voting is the very basis of our democracy," said Secretary Condos, "I encourage everyone to get out and participate in Vermont's Primary on August 9th."

Welch Initiative to Assist Low-Income Mobile Homeowners Passes House

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) that would expand the federal housing assistance program to cover previously ineligible expenses of low income mobile home owners. The bipartisan initiative was approved as an amendment to the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (H.R. 3700), which passed the House and will now go to the Senate for further consideration.

Williston’s Mud Pond Park Expands

Williston’s Mud Pond Country Park just grew by 39 acres according to the Vermont Land Trust. Today, the Town of Williston purchased and permanently conserved the land, announced the Vermont Land Trust.

Effort to Protect 600 Acres a Success

A large tract of forestland in the towns of Reading and Bridgewater was permanently conserved by the Meccawe Club, the Vermont Land Trust announced today. The Meccawe Club is a 100-year-old private trout fishing club. Over the years it had acquired lands to protect Meccawe Pond and provide for the club’s future

First-Time Homebuyers Eligible For $5,000 In Down Payment Assistance

Earlier this week, Sarah Carpenter of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency discussed their new program that will provide down-payment assistance to first time homebuyers on VPR

GOVERNOR APPROVES NEW VHFA DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Governor Shumlin signed legislation today that will help Vermonters buying their first home through VHFA by providing up to $5,000 for qualified buyers to cover the costs typically faced at closing due to down payment and closing costs.

Gov. Shumlin Signs Historic Education Reform Bill to Boost Quality & Address Rising Property...

Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law today an historic education reform bill to help ensure educational quality for all Vermont students while bending the cost curve on education spending to address Vermonters’ calls for property tax relief.

Annual Report Finds Vermont Rents Continue to Climb Out of Reach

In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent in Vermont, renters need to earn $20.68 per hour, or $43,017 a year.

Generous Gift of Land Benefits Public and Enables Wetland Conservation

During the 35 years that David Mayhew spent time camping and fishing on his 94 acres in Cabot, he improved the land’s wildlife habitat and practiced good forest stewardship. Now, he has created a lasting legacy for this forestland by donating it to the Vermont Land Trust. VLT conserved the property and transferred it to the Passumpsic Valley Land Trust

Gov. Shumlin Signs Two Housing Protection Bills into Law

Gov. Peter Shumlin today marked the anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act by signing two housing protection bills into law and declaring April Fair Housing Month. The first bill, H.123, ensures mobile home parks are safely maintained and abandoned mobile homes can be dealt with fairly and expeditiously. Also enacted today was H.256, which corrects and confirms protections against retaliation for exercising fair housing rights.

Gov. Shumlin Announces $1.9 Million in Clean Energy Investments in Windham County

Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced two new clean energy investments in Windham County totaling $1.9 million. The funds are made available through a 2013 agreement with Entergy and will help increase efficiency, save Windham County schools, municipalities, and homeowners on heating bills, and spur economic activity and job growth.

All Vermont Communities Eligible for Hazard Mitigation Funds

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

Frozen water pipes affecting communities and homes

With a growing number of communities having experienced water main breaks over the past week and other communities reporting frozen underground water pipes affecting a number of individual customers, Vermont state agencies are ready to provide assistance to communities that may need resources, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Public Safety officials announced today

Conservation Will Help to Keep Farms in the Family

Highgate & Berkshire —Three farms were recently conserved in Franklin County: the Bernard and Sue Rainville farm in Highgate and two farms in Berkshire owned by John and Margie Barabe. The families conserved their properties with the Vermont Land Trust, which will ensure that the land will always be available for farming and forestry. Both families protected the land by selling a conservation easement—a legal tool that limits subdivision and development. The proceeds from the sales will help the Rainvilles and the Barabes transfer their farms to the next generation

Don’t Leave Vermonters Out in the Cold

Vermont’s Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-eligible residents, particularly older Vermonters, people with disabilities, and families with children, to save fuel and money by improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

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STUDY SHOWS RECESSION MAKES VERMONT’S HOUSING PROBLEMS HARDER TO SOLVE

MONTPELIER, VT - April 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The recession hasn’t made finding affordable housing for average Vermonters any easier, according to a new report released today.

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