Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition: News » Supportive Housing

New Rural Senior Housing Fund Application

erhardm — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:51:09 +0000

Rural Senior Housing Fund Application

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is pleased to announce a new grant program, the Rural Senior Housing (RSH) Fund. Eligible affordable housing organizations can apply for RSH grants to support activities that will build, preserve, or advocate for housing for low-income seniors (62 and older) living in rural areas. This new program is made possible through the generous support of The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Applications are due to HAC no later than Thursday, December 15, 2011.
To access the application and for additional information, Click Here. (Word file)

If you have any questions about the application or the RSH FUND, please contact Janice Clark, 202.842.8600 x 131 or email Janice@ruralhome.org.

Note. Look for an announcement in October for a webinar training to answer questions about the application.

Champlain Housing Trust Board of Directors Recognized

erhardm — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:33:24 +0000

Burlington, VT – At their annual conference in Atlanta today, BoardSource, an organization dedicated to advancing the public good by building exceptional nonprofit boards and inspiring board service, announced that the Champlain Housing Trust Board of Directors won one of three Honorable Mentions in the Prudential Leadership Awards for Outstanding Nonprofit Boards. This competition evaluated nonprofit Boards from across the country on their efforts to position organizations for success.

The “Governing Toward the Future” competition awarded one $40,000 grand prize and three $10,000 honorable mentions. The Champlain Housing Trust’s Board was recognized for its efforts through a merger of two nonprofits to establish a strong, regional affordable housing and community development organization that is now a model for others. BoardSource chose to honor CHT’s Board because it “engineered a new organizational structure to create a sustainable structure for expanded capacity and impact [and] … completed a merger between two organizations, which began – rather than ended – a strategic process of self-improvement,” the organization said.

“We are thankful for this recognition,” said Board President Paul Bohne of Shelburne. “The Champlain Housing Trust places a lot of emphasis on sound governance, and we have an exceptional group of fifteen volunteers providing leadership to the organization.”

The Champlain Housing Trust stewards 500 affordable homeownership properties and over 1,500 affordable rental apartments throughout Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties. In addition to providing affordable housing, CHT offers homebuyer education, credit counseling, foreclosure intervention support, affordable loan products and develops new homes for rent or for sale. More information is available at www.champlainhousingtrust.org.

Full Press Release

Thompson House awarded $300,000 grant

santinal — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:30:59 +0000

Source: Brattleboro Reformer, April 26, 2011, by Jaime Cone

“BRATTLEBORO– Thompson House residential nursing facility recently received a USDA loan of more than $300,000 for the installation of a modern cooling and ventilation system.

In observation of Earth Day, the United States Department of Agriculture announced April 22 that a $331,000 Community Facility Loan and a $27,300 Community Facility Grant will be awarded to Brattleboro Mutual Aid Association, Inc., the owner of the Thompson House.

The new cooling and ventilation system will decrease energy consumption, allowing the Thompson House to save money while enhancing the comfort of its residents, according to a press release issued by the USDA.

The rooms of Thompson House’s 60 residents are currently cooled with residential-style window air conditioners. Previous Central Vermont Public Service audits have indicated that the electrical drain on the facility was too great; health and safety concerns, plus the lack of light in residents’ rooms, made it clear that a solution was needed, the release states.

Dane Rank, administrator for Thompson House, said the new system should help allow the residents — and the 79 employees — to be healthier and more comfortable in Thompson House, which was built in 1956…”

Full Story: Thompson House awarded $300,000 grant

PDF of Story: Thompson House awarded $300,000 grant

One of the family UCS Shared Living program pairs clients with families – and homes

santinal — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:27:33 +0000

Source: Bennington Banner, April 25, 2011, by Neal Goswami

“BENNINGTON — Stacey’s bedroom, dominated by pink tones, is filled with some of the artwork she has created since moving in with the Von Ouhl family and becoming part of it about 16 years ago.

Stacey, 39, who lives with Marilyn Von Ouhl and her family as part of United Counseling Service’s Shared Living program, beams with pride as she displays various pieces of work. She enjoys building things, and her favorite piece, she said in sign language, is a home made of wood with a stone pathway.

The Shared Living Program began at UCS about 30 years ago. It allows developmentally disabled people who cannot live alone, or may not be able to continue living with family, to continue the experience of living with a family.

It began as a more cost-effective way to provide care traditional institutions offered. But it also provided better treatment and care for the developmentally disabled, said Kathy Hamilton, director of developmental services at UCS.

“It supports our treatment beliefs for people, that no matter who you are, what your disability is, you should have the right to all of the freedoms, all of the opportunities that everybody else has, which means being fully integrated with the community, being able to have a family life,” Hamilton said.

There are currently about 50 individuals taking part in the program in Bennington County, Hamilton, said. Those in the program have a varying range of disabilities, and therefore, there are different goals for each…”

Full Story: One of the family UCS Shared Living program pairs clients with families – and homes

PDF of Story: One of the family UCS Shared Living program pairs clients with families – and homes

Save the Date: Johnson Community Housing Ribbon Cutting

santinal — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:29:48 +0000

Save the Date: The Johnson Community Housing ribbon cutting will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 7.

More details to follow shortly, please mark your calenders.

More information: Kenn Sassorossi, Housing Vermont, 802.863.8424, kenn@hvt.org, www.hvt.org.