VHCB to Award State, Federal, and American Rescue Plan Act Funding

June 26, 2021

VHCB to Award State, Federal, and American Rescue Plan Act Funding:
Two Information Sessions Scheduled for Housing Funding

Montpelier – The 2021 Legislative Session resulted in appropriations of $168.8 million in state and federal funds to the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. Governor Scott signed the budget, allotting $14.8 million in base funding for VHCB and $154 million in supplemental funding including from the federal American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-SFR). VHCB will also receive $9.8 million in ARPA funding from HUD through the federal HOME Program targeted to housing those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.

VHCB expects to award these funds over the next two fiscal years to accelerate the production and rehabilitation of housing by non-profit and private housing developers, to conserve farmland, natural areas, forestland, and recreational lands, for VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program to assist working lands enterprises, and to provide grant-writing assistance to communities through the Rural Economic Development Initiative.

Beginning in June 2021, VHCB will commit supplemental state funding as well as ARPA-SFR funds, primarily to assist Vermonters experiencing homelessness. These awards are the result of a call for applications issued earlier this spring in anticipation of state fast-track funding and the need for hundreds of new homes for these households.  

VHCB invites applications for the new housing funding according to the following schedule for upcoming information sessions, application deadlines and board meeting dates over the next several months.

The first general application due date for supplemental VHCB state funds and ARPA-SFR funds is July 23, 2021 for consideration at a board meeting September 29, 2021. Subsequent application due dates are November 29, 2021 and February 25, 2022.  More information and application materials for these funds are under development and will be posted July 12, 2021 at https://www.vhcb.org/our-programs/housing/arpa-sfr and https://www.vhcb.org/our-programs/housing/housing-applications

  • Non-profits, municipalities, and cooperative housing organizations are eligible to apply for state VHCB funding, both supplemental and base.
  • Private and non-profit housing developers, municipalities, and cooperative housing organizations are invited to apply for the federal ARPA-SFR funding as well as federal HOME Program and National Housing Trust funding administered by VHCB.

Two information sessions by zoom are scheduled to answer questions and take comments from applicants for ARPA-SFR Housing funds.

Monday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89413638985  or to call in: 1-646-558-8656, meeting ID# 89413638985

Wednesday, July 14 at 5:30
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86774047869 or to call in: 1-301-715-8592, meeting ID# 86774047869

VHCB will be posting answers to Frequently Asked Questions on their website and interested parties are encouraged to read the FAQ and to plan to attend one of the information sessions to learn more about the application process.

The following areas are priorities for investment of $144 million in State General Fund, Property Transfer Tax Revenue, and ARPA-SRF housing funds:

  • Fast-track housing for those experiencing homelessness
  • Advancing at more rapid speed the production of mixed-income, multi-family housing
  • Mobile Home Park infrastructure upgrades, park purchases and replacement of abandoned homes in mobile home parks
  • Recovery Residences to help Vermonters coping with addiction
  • Helping renters move into homeownership, relieving pressure on the rental market
  • Addressing a backlog of requests for accessibility improvements through the Vermont Center for Independent Living’s Home Access Program
  • Developing incentives to promote the development of Accessory Dwelling Units across Vermont
  • Farmworker housing repair and replacement program

CONSERVATION FUNDS
VHCB conservation programs will use $10 million in supplemental funding for investments to conserve agricultural and recreational lands, natural areas, and forestland, to acquire and restore historic properties with public use, for clean water initiatives, for community projects, and to provide grant-writing assistance to small communities through the Rural Economic Development Initiative. 

FARM & FOREST VIABILITY PROGRAM
With $50,000 in supplemental funding, VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program will be assisting farmers in accessing ARPA funding or other aid or to otherwise reposition their businesses. Visit www.vhcb.org/viability to learn more.

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VHCB supports the creation, preservation and rehabilitation of affordable housing and the conservation of agricultural and recreational land, natural areas, and forestland, and the restoration of historic community buildings for public use. Learn more at www.vhcb.org