Resources
Are you thinking about moving back to Vermont? If so, the State of Vermont has a new initiative that might be helpful: PursueVT at www.pursuevt.org
If you’re already here, and are looking for assistance in achieving economic security, the Central Vermont Community Action Council (www.cvac.org) has lots of helpful information. For Vermonters with disabilities who want to work, there are “benefits, programs and services for job seekers” at the state’s VocRehab website, www.vocrehab.vermont.gov
Home Share of Central Vermont does not provide emergency housing. For immediate housing assistance, visit the website of the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness, www.helpingtohouse.org/coc_contacts.php to find a “continuum of care” near you.
If you’re interested in other affordable housing options, you can check out the Vermont State Housing Authority (www.vsha.org). Their mission is “to promote and expand the supply of affordable rental and home ownership opportunities on a statewide basis,” through such programs as Section 8 Rental Assistance for “families, elderly, disabled and single people whose income falls within the income guidelines.” The Vermont Department of Commerce Department of Housing and Community Affairs also has a lot of valuable housing information at their website, www.dhca.state.vt.us.housing/index.htm
On a local level, you can contact the Montpelier Housing Authority (www.montpelier-vt.org/mha/index.cfm) which works “to promote, provide and preserve safe, decent and affordable housing in ways that support families, neighborhoods, and economic self-sufficiency.” Another option is the Barre Housing Authority (www.barrehousingauthority.com/) with a similar mission: “to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing to low-income families, elders and adults with disabilities.” All the housing authorities are part of Vermont Housing Data, which posts a “Directory of Affordable Rental Housing” at www.housingdata.org/doarh/tenant-based.php
Many organizations work to ensure affordable housing for all Vermonters. Home Share of Central Vermont is part of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition which has various resources at its website, www.vtaffordablehousing.org. Housing Vermont “creates permanently affordable rental housing for Vermonters”; see what they have available at www.hvt.org. The Central Vermont Community Land Trust (www.vvclt.org) is an organization based in Barre, Vermont that provides down payment assitance, homebuyer education, along with affordable rental apartments, mobile home lot rentals and elderly assistance, among other services. The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, an independent agency providing grants and technical assistance, has many helpful housing links at www.vhcb.org/links.html