Blog

Here you'll find the latest information about what's happening at our member organizations, opportunities in the community, and the latest news from the Legislature. Also VAHC Staff share their thoughts about the housing crisis in Vermont.

David Martins

Dec 1, 2017
5 min

House and Senate Tax Bills Will Decimate Affordable Housing in Vermont

MONTPELIER, VT — The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC), a state leader in housing policy, research and advocacy, today issued the following statement on the tax bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and under consideration in the Senate: At a time when Vermont already has a shortage of 10,866 affordable homes for extremely low income renters and the 5th highest affordability gap for renters in the country, the pending tax proposals would eliminat

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David Martins

Oct 31, 2017
2 min

CURRENT HOUSING JOB OPENINGS

VT Housing & Conservation Board Manager of Federal Housing Programs A s a member of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) housing team, the Manager of Federal Housing Programs is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration of the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and any other federal housing related programs, and for applications for continued funding for those pro

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David Martins

Feb 6, 2017
1 min

Job Posting – Chittenden Homeless Alliance Coordinator – VHFA

As primary staff member of the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, supports the administrative work under the direction of the Steering Committee. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBLITIES: Work as staff to and under the direction of its Steering Committee. This includes managing meeting schedules, agenda and minutes. Establish a process for distribution and retention of Alliance documents. Develop strong working relationships with members and partners of the Alliance. Attend all Alliance me

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David Martins

Apr 22, 2016
3 min

VHFA Awards Millions In Tax Credits For Affordable Housing:

On Monday, April 18, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners committed federal low-income housing tax credits and state affordable housing tax credits that will provide almost $25 million in upfront equity to construct and renovate housing for low-income Vermonters and will increase permanent supportive housing for people who were formerly homeless. The $2.578 million in 10 year federal credits and $400,000 in five year state credits support 356 renta

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David Martins

Feb 3, 2016
2 min

VHFA Seeks To Extend Assistance For First-Time Home Buyers

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency is seeking to extend their down-payment assistance program, which began last August. Through this program, first-time home buyers can get up to $5,000 in down payment assistance. The zero-interest loan is then paid back when the home is sold or the mortgage is refinanced. While the program is currently funded for 3 years, an extension of the program would help build a revolving loan fund. To learn more, read the article from VPR below: The V

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David Martins

Oct 9, 2015
1 min

VAHC TV: VHFA Down Payment Assistance Program

Host Erhard Mahnke speaks with Executive Director of Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Sarah Carpenter, on VHFA’s new Down Payment Assistance Program for first time homebuyers. More information on this can be found at www.vhfa.org. To watch the program, view the embedded link below or click here. You can also view the program on-air on Monday October 12, 19, and 26 at 3:00pm on Channel 17/Town Meeting TV. #VAHCTV #VHFA

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David Martins

Sep 22, 2015
3 min

Down Payment Assistance Offered For First Time Homebuyers In Vermont

On Friday Governor Shumlin joined VHFA and other state and community leaders to launch a new down payment assistance program for first time homebuyers. Through this program each qualified buyer will receive up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs. VHFA will be able to provide first-time home buyers who use a VHFA mortgage with up to $5,000 that needs repayment only if the home is sold or refinanced. Below is a report from WAMC, which includes some words from VAHC coor

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David Martins

Aug 17, 2015
1 min

Joint Committee on Tax Credits Meeting – Wednesday, August 19

The Joint Committee on Tax Credits will hold a meeting to discuss potential changes to Vermont’s Qualified Action Plan. This meeting is open to the public. As administrator of the Housing Tax Credit program, VHFA allocates credits to specific projects in accordance with Vermont’s Qualified Allocation Plan, which is approved and signed by the Governor. The advisory Joint Committee on Tax Credits reviews and adopts allocation policies and reviews VHFA’s performance. Where: VH

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David Martins

Jun 12, 2015
1 min

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: First-time home buyers in Vermont are getting some help with the expenses that come with buying a house. Legislation signed by Gov. Peter Shumlin last week includes up to $5,000 for closing costs and down payments. That program will be administered by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, but VHFA doesn’t

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Governor Approves New VHFA Down Payment Assistance Program

David Martins

Jun 5, 2015
2 min

Governor Approves New VHFA Down Payment Assistance Program

On Wednesday, Governor Shumlin signed a new bill that includes a down payment assistance program through the Vermont Housing Finance Agency for first-time home buyers. This bill was one of the VAHC’s legislative priorities, an effort that was successful at a time when the state faced many fiscal challenges. Below is VHFA’s press release on the event: Governor Shumlin signed legislation today that will help Vermonters buying their first home through VHFA by providing up to $5,

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Down Payment Assistance Is A Sound Investment For Vermont

David Martins

Apr 15, 2015
2 min

Down Payment Assistance Is A Sound Investment For Vermont

In recent years, the high cost of rent is putting a severe financial burden on many Vermonters. Homeownership rates are going down because many cannot afford to focus on saving to purchase a home while also paying for necessities such as rent, utilities, and in the case of many young adults, student loan debt. Given that homeownership brings many benefits to both consumers and communities, organizations like the Vermont Housing Finance Agency are working hard to ensure that w

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David Martins

Jan 23, 2015
1 min

VHFA FY 2014 Annual Report

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency has released their FY 2014 Annual Report. The report contains detailed statistical information on who, where and how the VHFA has helped achieve homeownership and more. To view and download the report click here (PDF file). #Housing #VHFA #VT

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David Martins

Dec 18, 2014
1 min

New England Resident Service Coordinators – Vermont Conference, Save the Date & Sponsorshi

VHFA and the State of Vermont would like to invite you to be a part of the premiere educational training for Resident Service Coordinators in New England. Occurring only once every six years in the state of Vermont, the New England Resident Service Coordinators, Inc. will host their 17th Annual Conference, Diversity: Celebrating Beauty and Strength, May 6-8, 2015 at Stowe Mountain Lodge. Resident service coordinators in Vermont have taken on the important role of keeping r

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David Martins

Oct 3, 2014
1 min

VAHC TV: 2014 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference Preview

The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition has a bimonthly program on CCTV and this month Maura Collins, Director of Policy and Administration with the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, joined VAHC coordinator Erhard Mahnke to discuss the upcoming Vermont Statewide Housing Conference that will be taking place on Wednesday, November 19th. To view the program click here or view the embedded video below: #VT #VAHCTV #Housing #Conferences #VHFA

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David Martins

Jun 22, 2014
1 min

Welch Highlights LIHTC Legislation at Bobbin Mill Apartments in Burlington

In case you missed, last week CCTV aired a press conference with Congressman Peter Welch at the Bobbin Mill Apartments with Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, Ken Sassarossi of Housing Vermont, Sarah Carpenter of VHFA, and Brenda Torpy of CHT. Welch was at Bobbin Mill to highlight his legislation (H.R. 4717) to improve the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and stimulate the development and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing in Vermont. Watch the broadcas

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David Martins

Mar 20, 2014
1 min

Meeting on Vermont's Section 811 Application on Tuesday, April 1

From VHFA’s Housing Matters: On March 4, HUD released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program. VHFA will be applying on behalf of Vermont in partnership with the Agency of Human Services. This program has changed from being a capital source for buildings occupied only by younger people with disabilities to a project based rental assistance program where no more than 25% of the project’s units can be designated as for

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David Martins

Mar 13, 2014
1 min

VRSC Training and Membership Meeting on March 19

Vermont Resident Service Coordinators will be having their next membership meeting on Wednesday, March 19. Prior to the membership meeting a special training by Ginny Sassman will be offered on Nurturing Happiness Relationships. The event is being co-sponsored by Vermont Housing Managers Association, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Bennington Housing Authority, and Shires Housing. Admission is FREE for Vermont Resident Service Coordinators and Vermont Housing Managers Asso

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David Martins

Feb 7, 2014
1 min

Sarah Carpenter Receives Champlain Housing Trust's McKenzie Award

Re-posted from Leslie Black-Plumeau of VHFA’s Housing Matters Blog: VHFA’s Executive Director, Sarah Carpenter, received the Tim McKenzie Award at Champlain Housing Trust’s annual meeting and dinner… The award recognized Carpenter’s outstanding contributions to permanently affordable housing during the past thirty years. Carpenter is a long-time Burlington resident. “I am honored to work with partner organizations like Champlain Housing Trust to extend affordable housing

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David Martins

Dec 18, 2013
1 min

East Central Vermont Households Face High Housing Expenses, Long Commutes, Scarce Rental Options

Reprinted from VHFA Housing Matters, by Leslie Black-Plumeau: A recent study by VHFA found that thousands of residents of the East Central Vermont region face extraordinary challenges finding housing that is both affordable and located near their jobs and needed services. An estimated 11,000 households living in Orange and Windsor counties paid more than 30% of their income for their housing-related expenses (a combination of their mortgage or rent, utilities, taxes, and ins

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David Martins

Dec 2, 2013
1 min

ICYMI: Program Helps Low-Income Buyers Afford Mobile Homes

Demand is growing for a year-old program that helps Vermonters who lack resources buy mobile homes, reported VPR recently. The program was developed through a partnership between Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Champlain Housing Trust, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Maura Collins of VHFA and Emily Higgins of CHT were interviewed by VPR. Read the VPR piece or learn more about the program on the Champla

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