VHCB Awards $3.4 Million in State and Federal Funding to Create and Rehabilitate 30 Homes and Conserve 270 acres of Farmland
VHCB Awards $3.4 Million in State and Federal Funding to Create and Rehabilitate 30 Homes and Conserve 270 acres of Farmland
At a meeting on March 26, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board awarded $846,500 in state funding and $2,588,327 in federal funds for projects in Windham, Windsor, and Lamoille Counties. The VHCB awards will help to create and rehabilitate 30 homes and apartments affordable to low- and moderate-income Vermonters and will conserve 270 acres of farmland.
“These VHCB investments are creating new homeownership opportunities, leveraging $2.5 million in federal funds for housing rehabilitation and land conservation, and supporting new and retiring farmers while also keeping farmland in agricultural use.” said VHCB Executive Director Gus Seelig. “We are proud to support this important work undertaken by our partners that strengthens Vermont communities.”
Brattleboro and Windsor – The Windham & Windsor Housing Trust will rehabilitate and refinance 7 historic buildings with 26 apartments using $445,000 in VHCB funds and $1,380,827 in federal funds from the HOME Program and the National Housing Trust Fund. Three buildings with 14 apartments at Phelps Court in Windsor and 4 buildings with 12 apartments on Clark and Canal Streets in downtown Brattleboro provide affordable homes for low- and very low-income families. The buildings will be rehabilitated with interior and exterior renovations to bring them up to date with current health and safety codes and modern energy efficiency standards. The heating systems will be replaced with advanced wood heating systems shared among multiple buildings, increasing energy efficiency and lowering environmental impact while also contributing to the regional forest economy.
Reading – Vermont Alpine Farm will be conserved by the Upper Valley Land Trust with $158,500 in VHCB funding and $157,500 in federal funding from NRCS. Kevin and Laura Channell purchased the 61-acre farm in 2017 and run a pasture-raised Wagyu beef and organic vegetable operation with two high tunnel greenhouses and one half-acre of blueberries. The Channells are planning to establish retail sales on the farm. They also grow food for the local foodbank. The farm adjoins other lands protected by UVLT and is within one half mile of the Arthur Davis Wildlife Management Area, a portion of which VHCB helped the state acquire in 1993. The circa 1796 farmhouse was remodeled in the 1830s or 40s; a historic preservation notice provision will guide any alterations to the home’s exterior.
Stowe and Morristown – The Vermont Land Trust is working with the Stowe Land Trust, using $13,000 in VHCB funding and $1,050,000 in federal funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to conserve a prominent 210-acre farm on Route 100 owned by 3rd generation farmer, Ken Ricketson, whose grandfather purchased the farm in 1916. The fields are leased to two local dairy farmers. Ken Ricketson raises replacement heifers and sold his dairy cows in 2020 as he prepares for retirement. The Stowe Land Trust is leading a local fundraising effort to help support the conservation project. Special conditions in the easement will protect water quality and a bog on the property with rare plants.
West Woodstock – With a supplemental VHCB award of $80,000, Twin Pines Housing and Evernorth will construct four homes at Safford Commons, located on Route 4 across from Woodstock High School in a rental housing development completed in 2015. The funding is in addition to a previous VHCB award of $320,000. Construction is expected to commence this spring and be completed in spring 2022. The homes will be affordable to moderate-income households. Evernorth will oversee the construction of the homes and Twin Pines will act as the steward of the permanently affordable homeownership units.
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Since 1987, VHCB has invested in the conservation of 437,000 acres of farmland, forestland, recreational land and natural areas, the creation of 13,420 permanently affordable homes, and the restoration of 74 historic public buildings. VHCB also hosts the VHCB AmeriCorps Program, the Farm & Forest Viability Program, and the Healthy & Lead Safe Homes Program.