Grants awarded for Vt. housing, community projects
The U.S. and Vermont flags flying side by side in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Local housing and community projects in Vermont are receiving support from a new round of federal grants.
On Thursday, Gov. Phil Scott announced recipients of $2.22 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). This federal money will support six projects throughout Vermont, including three mixed income housing developments, planning for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements and the revitalization of community facilities.
In this week’s announcement, Scott called the CDBG program an “essential resource for Vermont.”
“Bringing together public and private partners, the program makes a big difference in our redevelopment and revitalization efforts throughout all corners of the state,” he said.
These funds provide federal funding to help local communities address priority projects that primarily benefit individuals of low or moderate income, according to state officials. Supported projects include planning and implementation of housing, economic development, public infrastructure, and community facilities such as childcare and senior centers. The funding announced this week goes to projects in Randolph, Pittsford, Arlington, South Burlington and Highgate.
“The program has been a crucial funding source for 40 years in Vermont,” said Josh Hanford, the state’s commissioner of housing and community development, in the state’s announcement. “CDBG funding invests in local community development projects which expand low-income families’ access to opportunity in Vermont."
In a joint statement, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D) spoke about the funding’s broad impact over the decades:
“Vermont has long benefited from Community Development Block Grant awards, which transform communities by creating opportunities for Vermonters and helping to drive our local economies.”
This year, recipients include the City of South Burlington and Ascend Housing Allies, who were jointly awarded $1 million to develop 94 units of new mixed-income apartments in two separate 47-unit buildings.
“The Community Development Block Grant award from VCDP will allow Summit Properties, in partnership with subgrantee Ascend Housing, to move forward with one of the State of Vermont’s most ambitious affordable housing projects to date,” said Tom Getz, chief executive officer of Summit Properties, in a statement. “Especially in today’s construction environment, affordable housing requires leadership and support from the State of Vermont, its partner agencies, and local municipalities. VCDP’s and the City of South Burlington’s support for this project puts that leadership on full display and will make an impact on more than 100 people seeking an affordable housing option to live and work in Chittenden County.”
The following six Vermont projects are supported by the program’s funds for fiscal year 2022:
Town of Arlington for community revitalization and gathering space.
Town of Highgate to explore development of a mixed-use property and library.
Town of Pittsford to explore development of community programming space.
Town of Randolph for affordable rental housing.
City of South Burlington for mixed income housing.
City of Vergennes to plan for ADA renovations of the Vergennes Opera House.
For details on these CDBG awardees and projects, click here.
Editor’s Note: The information in this post is from a news release by the Office of Vermont Governor Phil Scott.
