Vermont Housing Conservation Board 2005 - Vermont Housing and ...

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR In FY 2005, VHCB 2 Dear Members of the General Assembly, On behalf of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and our very dedicated staff, we want to thank you for your continued support and investment in the Board’s programs. This has been a banner year for the Board, as external entities have recognized the excellent work that is being done by citizens and community organizations across the state, in partnership with the Board, to enhance the quality of life in our communities. In FY 2005, VHCB investments will result in 436 affordable homes, the conservation of 19 farms and 3,383 acres of agricultural land, the conservation of 15 parcels and 847 acres for open space, recreation, wildlife habitat and the revitalization of seven historic buildings for community use. Today, as we write this report, work funded by VHCB is underway in downtown St. Albans, Winooski, Brattleboro and recently completed in Rutland. Many of our small rural communities, like Groton and Whitingham, are re-investing in their village centers, and growing communities, like South Burlington, Dorset and Middlebury, are welcoming new neighbors. The Board’s agricultural programs continue to attract and leverage federal dollars and private funding. Last year’s investment of 2.1 million was matched by 1.9 million in federal funds, while private foundations, particularly the Freeman Foundation, invested 2.5 million in our agricultural communities. The Board has also seen steady growth in our Farm Viability Program. Administration of that program will transition to the Agency of Agriculture next year. Through the help of Senator Leahy, matching federal earmarks have been appropriated. Private funding has been secured, and VHCB received a foundation grant for the Farm-to-School Initiative, spearheaded by Shelburne Farms, which is now active in 53 communities. While VHCB’s most visible roles are in housing and agriculture, our statutory mission also encompasses the protection of natural areas, recreation lands and historic sites. The impact from investments in these areas, though less apparent, is tremendously important to our quality of life. A diverse array of conservation projects is described in this report. The Nature Conservancy is acquiring land for addition to areas of biological richness targeted for protection in Bridport, North Pawlet and Fair Haven. Residents in Jericho and Underhill conserved Casey’s Hill—a treasured spot where families enjoy sledding in the winter and picnicking in the spring, summer and fall. Municipalities and community groups are revitalizing historic landmarks in Roxbury, Ferrisburgh, and Morrisville. We continue to see dual goal projects, such as the new Otter View Park in Middlebury that will create a new 17-acre town park with a boardwalk for birdwatching and three building sites including one affordable home to be built by Habitat for Humanity. A key part of the Board’s job is to assure the accountability of the VHCB for wise use of public funds. Each project is evaluated carefully by our staff and then reviewed by the Board to make sure we investing consistent with VHCB’s investments will result in 436 affordable homes, the conservation of 19 farms and 3,383 acres of agricultural land, the conservation of 15 parcels and 847 acres for open space, recreation, wildlife habitat and the revitalization of seven historic buildings for community use. The American Precision Museum in Windsor: birthplace of modern manufacturing. Story on page 36. Bob Eddy
statutory mandates that require permanent affordability and permanent protection of land resources in order to provide benefit to multiple generations. The system has checks and measures for accountability, monitoring and stewardship to protect the state’s investment. A key reason we are successful is that projects are driven as much by a community’s vision of what is important to them as it is by statewide priorities. The Board is able to make funding decisions knowing there is a high degree of community support for these initiatives. We also appreciate the valuable feedback you, as legislators, give us. Two years ago, it was suggested that we focus on the need for transitional housing. Since that time, eight communities have successfully used a new VHCB fund creating 45 units of transitional housing with services. Governor Douglas has highlighted the need for affordable homes as a high priority issue for the state’s economy and for our hard working families. We will combine efforts with the Administration, creating new homes in response to the demand. The Board will continue to seek every opportunity to leverage the state’s investment of transfer tax revenue to maximize the return to Vermonters, today and in the future. Please contact our staff if we can be of assistance to you or your constituents. Sincerely, John T. Ewing VHCB Chair John Churchman/brickhousestudios.com In the shadow of Mount Mansfield, Casey's Hill is a popular winter sledding hill conserved for public recreational use by the Jericho Underhill Land Trust. 2005 Awards and Recognition • VHCB was a finalist for an Innovations in American Government Award presented by the Ash Institute at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. VHCB was one of three finalists for a Fannie Mae Foundation Innovation Award in Affordable Housing. • VHCB was presented with a national HOME Doorknocker Award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for outstanding work in providing affordable housing to low-income and underserved people in a rural state. • Waterfront Housing in Burlington, 40 new apartments completed in 2005, won first prize in the rental category of The Home Depot Foundation’s Inaugural Awards of Excellence For Affordable Housing Built Responsibly. • Gus Seelig, VHCB Executive Director, won an honorable mention for the 2005 NeighborWorks ® America Government Service Award. • Stonebridge Inn in Poultney won a 2005 Preservation Award from the Preservation Trust of Vermont for preserving Vermont’s historic architecture. • Brenda Torpy, Burlington Community Land Trust Executive Director, was presented with a Pioneer in Excellence Award by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in Monterey California for outstanding leadership in community development. 3
Page 1 and 2: 2005 Annual Report to the General A
Page 3: james h. douglas governor State of
Page 7 and 8: in the marketplace, and for homes b
Page 9 and 10: documents. But an applicant’s ent
Page 11 and 12: the 1906-vintage edifice stands out
Page 13 and 14: Bob Eddy photos Laurie Webster, who
Page 15 and 16: “These are people who are very en
Page 17 and 18: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Hard-Earned Ho
Page 19 and 20: “Owning a home isn’t just luck.
Page 21 and 22: portation,” said Brenda Torpy, di
Page 23 and 24: So Jon and Lise Yandow, whose seven
Page 25 and 26: Addison Vermont Land Trust photos a
Page 27 and 28: “Watching the O’Connell family
Page 29 and 30: Bob Eddy “Farming is such a labor
Page 31 and 32: This joins a mix of new and retrofi
Page 33 and 34: CROSS VERMONT TRAIL A Trail to Conn
Page 35 and 36: Liz Thompson/The Nature Conservancy
Page 37 and 38: HISTORIC PRESERVATION A New Role fo
Page 39 and 40: Bob Eddy photos England what became
Page 41 and 42: VERMONT COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP PROGR
Page 43 and 44: VERMONT LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARD RED
Page 45 and 46: Housing Awards July 2004 -June 2005
Page 47 and 48: Housing Awards July -December 2005
Page 49 and 50: Conservation Awards July 2004 -June
Page 51 and 52: Conservation Awards July 2004 -June
Page 53 and 54: Conservation Awards July -December
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Partners in Project Development Jan
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Revenues $22,486,033 Interest Incom
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PROJECT AWARDS BY COUNTY 1987-2005
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