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From the Executive Director & Board Chair
In our 42-year history, the Vermont State Housing Authority has consistently stepped up to the plate and willingly addressed each new challenge in our ongoing efforts to serve Vermont’s lowest-income individuals and families. With a primary focus on direct housing services, we are a multi-faceted statewide organization with a local presence in all Vermont communities. The role which VSHA performs within Vermont’s housing industry and its positive impact on the lives of individuals of very-low and low-income is significant.
As we reflect on our accomplishments for 2010, we are proud to have provided direct housing assistance services to approximately 8,200 Vermont families in need. One of the programs that VSHA administers to many of those families is Section 8. Our package of Section 8 programs – the largest in the state - provides a variety of housing options designed to meet specific needs. And while thousands of Vermont families were helped by this program in 2010, the need for housing assistance remains at an all-time high. That high demand translates to a nearly four-year wait for assistance, resulting in the decision to officially close the waiting list on October 1st to new applicants.
Despite the many challenges that we have faced, VSHA has consistently been ranked as a high performing housing agency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. When compared to other public housing authorities in the country, we are in the top 10% in terms of performance. Considering Vermont’s small size, we feel that this is an impressive score.
Homelessness is still a challenge in Vermont and requires our on-going efforts to find solutions to meet the needs of people who are homeless. VSHA continues to administer a variety of programs targeted for families and individuals through Continuum of Care. Together with Vermont’s community partners, shelters and service providers, an annual Point in Time count of everyone who is homeless is held each January to monitor trends and determine what services are needed.
On behalf of nonprofit entities and partnerships, VSHA also continues to manage a diverse portfolio of elderly/multifamily properties and mobile home parks located throughout Vermont – we provide direct property management for a total of 1,534 units. And, in our role as development agent for these nonprofit entities and partnerships, VSHA coordinated several rehabilitation and capital improvement projects in 2010. By routinely helping to upgrade these properties, we are able to maintain and improve the quality of life that our residents deserve.
As VSHA plans ahead for 2011 and the years to come, we will aggressively pursue all opportunities to provide more housing opportunities for those Vermonters who need it the most. We look forward to the challenge!
