Montpelier- Ana Mejia, Homeownership Specialist and Marion Major, Outreach Coordinator joined the dozens of Vermont organizations and volunteer groups from across the state to talk with legislators about how VHCB funds make lasting impact in our communities. The Coalition is comprised of conservation and housing groups, organizations, and businesses across the state on the frontlines of Vermont’s most urgent challenges: workforce housing shortage, climate change, and affordability crisis.
Since 2020 VHCB investments have supported
•2,275 multi-family homes
•4,530 households through homeownership development, home access modifications, farmworker housing, and shelter investments
•22,000+ acres of conserved land (farmland, natural areas, forests, and recreation)
While none of the work that we or do is fully funded by one single source- any community development project takes significant team work- these funds through VHCB are powerful leverage of the other funding sources. VHCB is a strong partner in making affordable housing possible across the communities we serve.
Ana Mejia, one of our Homeownership Specialists presented testimony to the House General and Housing Committee on the impact of the Shared Equity program and our recently completed new development of 316 South Street in Springfield. You can listen in to her testimony here (beginning approximately min 12:38)
“[This program] is helping people stay in Vermont, building connections and grow those deep roots into our communities. Shared equity is not a one-time benefit, it’s a lasting investment in permanently affordable homeownership and everyday families that make up our communities.”
Marion Major, our Outreach Coordinator, presented to Senate Institutions on the pipeline of recently completed developments and up-and-coming projects. She closed by highlighting how these investments and affordability last over the decades with sharing a quote from Princess who was able to access affordable housing in Brattleboro in one of our earliest redevelopment projects. Here, she’s grounding herself in her new and safe community and creating new friendships. “This move has absolutely changed my life. It has taught me how to be more confident in myself and the things I can accomplish. I’ve been set up to have such an amazing, happy life, surrounded by people who love me, in a space that I love, that is just for me.” (You can find Princess’ fuller story here)
This day of conversation, story telling, and gathering in celebration is always a fun and impactful day. We look forward to participating again next year!
