The Scott Administration allocated more than $3.9 million to improve accessibility of community facilities, renovate to create mixed-income housing, and provide affordable home repair financing for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
vermont business journal On December 29, 2022, Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced $3.9 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). The funding will support 12 projects across Vermont, including the accessibility of community facilities, renovations to create new mixed-income housing, and affordable home repair financing for low- and moderate-income homeowners. This updates the November bulletin.
“The Community Development Block Grant program is having a significant impact on Vermont’s towns and cities,” Governor Scott said. “Through these grants, we are making important investments in infrastructure, housing restoration and economic development, all of which we need to revitalize our communities.”
“I am very excited to see the historic Ward 5 schoolhouse repurposed to serve the great city of Barrie for generations to come,” said Cynthia Gubb, VCDP Board Chair. “This project is a wonderful example of how communities can creatively redevelop existing buildings to help meet critical housing needs in Vermont.”
In a joint statement, Senators Leahy and Sanders and Rep. Welch said: “It is great news that this federal funding is addressing many important needs in our communities. Build much-needed affordable housing, help people with disabilities and substance use disorders, and support local businesses and nonprofits hit hard by the pandemic. Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding that makes these investments possible is Vermont State communities are an important resource and have been one of our top funding priorities. We look forward to seeing these projects strengthen communities and improve the lives of Vermonters across the state.”
Vermont’s congressional delegation has long been committed to supporting and Enhanced federal funding to enable community development blocks possible grant programs, including $755,059 in recovery housing funding to help individuals recover and build recovery homes, and an additional $8.8 million in CDBG-CV funding to support individuals affected by COVID-19 Businesses, utilities, and service programs impacted by the pandemic.
Among the 12 projects awarded $3.9 million include:
- The Town of Brandon and the Brandon Free Public Library were awarded $100,000 for the Brandon Free Public Library expansion project. The project aimed to accomplish accessibility modifications to make the building compliant with ADA regulations.
- Barre City and Downstreet Housing and Community Development was awarded $500,000 for the Granite City Apartments project. Funds will be used to acquire and renovate the historic Ward 5 school into nine apartments for low- and moderate-income (LMI) families.
- The Town of Newport and Rural Edge received $400,000 for the Newport Crossing project. Funding from this round will be used to complete the construction of fourteen (14) affordable housing units that will be provided to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households.
The Vermont Community Development Program, a division of DHCD, provides approximately $7 million in competitive grants to Vermont cities and towns each year. These grants are funded by the federal CDBG program administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
CDBG funding provides federal funding to develop viable communities through the provision of adequate housing and a suitable living environment so that communities can effectively meet the development needs of local communities. Funds are also used to expand economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income individuals and to improve infrastructure critical to the health and well-being of communities.
Click here to find updated links to the winners.
For a complete list of all CDBG, CDBG-CV, and Affordable Home Repair Financing Winners Click here.
December 29, 2022. Governor. Montpellier www.vermont.gov
