The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development and the CVOEO Fair Housing Project are hosting five focus groups throughout the state to discuss various factors that may impact the ability of all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin, of similar income to have the same housing choices. The state has just commenced a six month process of updating its 2006 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. This is a HUD-required report that seeks to identify the various factors that may affect fair housing choice in Vermont and to develop a five-year action plan to overcome them. Your input is critical to this process. We are seeking input from residents, landlords, housing managers, real estate professionals, public housing authorities, planners, municipal officials, housing developers, policy makers, regulators, and members of the general public. Issues such as reasonable accommodations and modifications, the impact of exclusionary land use practices, Fair Housing Act protections and prohibitions, and more will be discussed. We expect each focus group to be approximately two hours. A light dinner will be provided for all participants. Please help us spread the word about these important events, and please encourage your staff, volunteers and clients to attend as well. Each group will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dates and locations as follows:
Wednesday, June 8th Champlain Housing Trust, Burlington
Thursday, June 9th Windham Housing Trust, Brattleboro
Tuesday, June 14th Central Vermont Community Land Trust, Barre
Wednesday, June 15th NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, West Rutland
Thursday, June 16th Gilman Housing Trust, Lyndonville
Advanced registration is appreciated. To register or learn more, please contact The Fair Housing Project: Kevin Stapleton, director: kstapleton@cvoeo.org; Dani Fuoco, education and outreach coordinator: dfuoco@cvoeo.org. Both can be reached at (802) 864-3334. View Event Flyer.