This month, the Fair Housing Project of CVOEO and the Thriving Communities campaign give thanks for all the housing and service providers, nonprofit staff, community organizers and advocates, legislators, municipal and state officials, and others who work diligently to ensure that everyone has a safe, accessible, and affordable place to call home – especially as winter sets in.

Home is more than a warm bed and a space to store belongings. Home is a place of security, comfort, and acceptance.

Recent statistics released by the FBI show that hate crimes are on the rise in Vermont, with the majority attributed to the victim’s race, followed by religion, sexual orientation, and disability. The official number of incidents was 45 in 2018, but similar to housing discrimination, only a fraction of the actual instances get reported. Meanwhile, National Fair Housing Alliance data show that the number of housing discrimination complaints around the country in 2018 was up by eight percent to 31,202, the highest since NFHA began producing the annual Fair Housing Trends Report in 1995.

At a time when national conversations are punctuated by intolerance and uncivil discourse, we need to change the story of housing and home to ensure everyone’s right to equal opportunity in housing choice and the right to rent, buy, and live free from discrimination. We know these these things to be true:

• Inclusive, affordable homes provide the foundation for family stability, thriving economies, and strong and vibrant communities.
• Mixed-income developments strengthen connections and increase understanding and compassion among residents.
• Secure housing is key to bridging the opportunity gap and building futures.

Addressing Vermont’s housing crisis an all-hands-on-deck effort. We have the momentum, we are building the will, and there is hope. Thank you to everyone working to turn housing into homes!

With gratitude,

Jess Hyman, Fair Housing Project Director

Here is a sampling of Vermont and national news related to fair housing, affordable homes, and inclusivity.

Vermont 2-1-1 will resume 24-hour coverage! Thanks in part to the advocacy of more than 100 organizations and individuals who signed on to Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition’s letter supporting resumption of Vermont 211’s after-hours service, the state has found a way to resume after-hours referral services as of Dec. 6. This is critical to Vermonters who are homeless and/or fleeing sexual and domestic violence. Last year, 75% of the calls from people requesting emergency housing came during the coldest months of the year and 40% of all after‐hours calls were related to emergency housing. Read more in this post from VAHC.

HUD recently awarded $131.3 million to public housing authorities across the country to provide affordable housing to approximately 15,363 additional non-elderly persons with disabilities. 142 of the vouchers are coming to Vermont with $1,083,179 for Burlington, Rutland, Bennington, and Vermont State housing authorities. Although it’s a drop in the bucket to address Vermont’s housing needs, this will make a huge impact in the lives of 142 households.

This year, as part of Act 48, which provides protections against housing
discrimination for victims of domestic and sexual violence, the Vermont Legislature instructed the State Treasurer Beth Pearce to evaluate and report on options for funding and financing affordable housing in the state. Treasurer Pearce will hold a meeting of all stakeholders and other interested parties on Dec. 16. Read more in this post from VHFA.

Springfield Housing Authority and Housing Vermont recently joined local elected officials, funders, and project participants to celebrate the start of redevelopment of the Woolson Block building in Springfield. By June 2020, the mixed-use building will include commercial space on the ground floor, 15 rental apartments designated for a mix of households (all with incomes at or below 60% of the area’s median income), and four single-room occupancy and service-enriched apartments for homeless and at-risk youth. Read more in this post from Housing Vermont.

The Windham & Windsor Housing Trust is celebrating the completion of the Snow Block in Brattleboro. Named after WWHT’s first and long-time executive director, Connie Snow, the development has 23 apartments ranging from studios to two bedrooms. Four apartments will be occupied by clients of Youth Services who will be able to access services on site. Read more from the Brattleboro Reformer.

Events:

What to learn more about upcoming housing projects in Lamoille County? Join Lamoille Housing Partnership for an Open House on Dec. 4 at Black Cap Coffee and Beer in Morrisville. LHP’s next project is Village Center Apartments, which will add 22 affordable apartments to downtown Morrisville in 2020.

The Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee is holding its fourth regional discussion on affordable housing on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 12:30-2:30pm in the Rockingham Town Hall in Bellows Falls. The goal of this hearing is to provide ideas to the Committee for possible affordable housing legislation in the 2020 session. If you have any questions, contact Peter Sterling, Chief of Staff to Senate President Tim Ashe at psterling@leg.state.vt.us.

For more events, check out the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition calendar.

Something to think about:

A “Just Housing” ordinance designed to protect a potential tenant or homeowner from being discriminated against based on criminal history narrowly passed a Cook County (Illinois) committee. Along with that three-year period for reviewing a person’s criminal history, the rule includes requiring landlords to consider whether disabilities such as physical impairment, mental illness, or addiction played a role in a conviction. The rule still needs to be approved by the full Board of Commissioners.

Would a universal basic income help you make rent? The idea has gained momentum, but its effect on housing is hard to suss out. Would it put upward pressure on rent? Would it allow people to access better and more appropriate housing? Would it cancel out housing subsidies? Jeff Andrews explores how a universal basic income could affect low-income people in this Curbed article.

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⇒ For more information about your fair housing rights and printable resources in multiple languages, visit www.cvoeo.org/fhp

⇒ To schedule a FREE fair housing workshop or discussion in your community or workplace, contact Jess Hyman at jhyman@cvoeo.org. 

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The Thriving Communities blog reaches a diverse cohort of housing and service providers, planners, municipal officials, advocates, and community members who are committed to promoting affordability and inclusiveness as a mainstay of flourishing communities across Vermont and beyond. Want to see your Vermont housing news featured in this periodic roundup? Contact us at fhp@cvoeo.org. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!