After taking a hiatus for a few months due to a gap in funding, the Fair Housing Project and Thriving Communities campaign are back up and running thanks to a new Education and Outreach Initiative grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program.
There’s still a lot to be done to end illegal housing discrimination and to increase housing opportunity for everyone in Vermont, especially those in protected classes. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
We’re looking forward to resuming our schedule of fair housing trainings for municipal officials, housing and service providers, and the general public; updating and distributing fair housing materials throughout the state to make sure that everyone knows that housing discrimination is illegal and what to do if/when it happens; helping communities plan for more affordable housing; expanding the Thriving Communities campaign to raise awareness about the economic and social benefits of affordable, inclusive housing; and fun events like April Fair Housing Month with ONE Arts Center.
Over the next year we will continue and expand on our work in partnership with local, regional, and statewide organizations, including Thriving Communities members Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Housing Vermont, Champlain Housing Trust, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, AARP Vermont, Vermont Human Rights Commission, and Vermont Legal Aid.
Following long-time Fair Housing Project Director Ted Wimpey’s retirement in July, Jess Hyman stepped into the position Sept. 1. Jess had been working alongside (and learning from) Ted since June 2018 as FHPs Outreach and Education Coordinator. Check out the latest episode of “Housing – Fair, Safe, Affordable” on Channel 17 for an interview with Ted about his 30+ years of work on affordable housing issues in Vermont.
To schedule a training or fair housing information session, contact us at fhp@cvoeo.org or 802-660-3456 x 110. For more information about your Fair Housing rights, visit www.cvoeo.org/FHP
I am so thankful that the Highly capable, engaged, and energetic Jess Hyman is now filling my shoes at the Fair housing Project and the Thriving Communities campaign! I see a bright, expansive future for the efforts that I helped start in my years at CVOEO. Thanks much to Jess for her willingness to step into this role!
I am grateful for the opportunity to continue and build on your work, Ted! Thank you for your decades of thoughtful and persistent advocacy for inclusive communities and affordable housing in Burlington and around the state.