MESSAGE FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
August 31, 2011 DISASTER MESSAGE FOR OCCUPANCY WAIVERS TO USDA MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROPERTIES Hello everyone, For most of us, the recent disaster in the state of Vermont is the most severe in our lifetimes, and many of us know family, friends, or employees that have been impacted by this recent event. We are so sad for those who been impacted and have endured incredible personal hardship over the past few days;  and for our communities that will not be the same for months or years to come. At USDA Rural Development we want to advise our housing managers and partners that USDA Rural Development can offer Letters of Priority Entitlement (LOPE) to impacted individuals or households for occupancy to a RD Multi-Family or Elderly property. These letters essentially enable a disaster impacted household or individual  to go to the top of the waiting list to occupy an RD (or HUD property) property.  Attached are RD policies and a sample letter that an applicant can seek from RD to present to owners/managers of USDA Multi-Family Housing Properties or HUD properties. We have also attached a list of VT and NH RD properties and contact phone numbers  that currently have vacancies as of 8/29/2011. A request for a LOPE letter should be made to our Montpelier or Concord Area office. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Montpelier, VT or Concord NH Area Offices: Montpelier, VT Area office: 802-828-6026 or 6012 Concord, NH Area office: 603-223-6035 Please feel free to forward this information to any interested parties. Regards, Robert McDonald | Housing Director VT/NH Rural Development US Department of Agriculture 89 Main St.-City Center 3rd Flr.| Montpelier, VT 05602 Phone:  802.828.6015 Fax:  802.828.6090 www.rurdev.usda.gov