<strong>Housing</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Conservation</strong> Applications 60 VHCB makes grants <strong>and</strong> loans to nonprofit organizations, housing co-ops, municipalities, <strong>and</strong> qualifying state agencies. The <strong>Board</strong> is able to respond quickly to assist municipalities <strong>and</strong> nonprofits to cope with the adverse impact of development on <strong>Vermont</strong>’s affordable housing stock, its agricultural l<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> its environmental quality. The bulk of the <strong>Board</strong>’s awards are made for projects associated with the protection of agricultural l<strong>and</strong>s, natural areas, public recreational l<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> historic properties, <strong>and</strong> for the preservation, rehabilitation, <strong>and</strong> development of perpetually affordable housing. Special encouragement is given to projects that meet both the affordable housing <strong>and</strong> the conservation goals of the Fund. All applicants are required to show long-term benefit to <strong>Vermont</strong>ers through deed restrictions or other mechanisms that ensure the funds provided will have a lasting effect. <strong>Housing</strong> projects must target <strong>Vermont</strong>ers with incomes at or below median. Program beneficiaries range from tenants, potential home owners, <strong>and</strong> farmers, to all who enjoy <strong>Vermont</strong>’s natural, recreational, <strong>and</strong> historic properties. The <strong>Board</strong> meets <strong>and</strong> makes decisions on applications approximately eight times a year. Applications are usually reviewed <strong>and</strong> decisions made within five to ten weeks of submission. Applications are rated according to the Adopted Rule of the <strong>Board</strong>. Applicants are invited to attend the meeting at which the project is reviewed, <strong>and</strong> are informed of the <strong>Board</strong>’s decision that same day. Site visits by VHCB staff are required prior to submission of housing applications. Purchase of <strong>Conservation</strong> Easements on Farml<strong>and</strong> The <strong>Board</strong> evaluates farml<strong>and</strong> conservation applications in a two-step process. Pre-applications are reviewed by the Agricultural Advisory Committee. This group recommends projects to be considered by the full <strong>Board</strong>, <strong>and</strong> complete applications are developed for those projects. Evaluation is based upon soil quality, location, farm infrastructure, management, <strong>and</strong> other resources brought to the project. Federal HOME Funds <strong>and</strong> Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Funds Applications for HOME Program funds are due on the same dates as VHCB housing project applications. Applications for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction funds are reviewed as they are received. Farm Viability Enhancement Program The <strong>Vermont</strong> Farm Viability Enhancement Program provides funding to organizations working with farmers to provide technical assistance <strong>and</strong> business planning services. Farmers may apply to the program by filling out an application available from VHCB, NOFA-<strong>Vermont</strong>, the Intervale Foundation, the University of <strong>Vermont</strong> Extension Service, or Working L<strong>and</strong>scapes, Inc.. Applications are reviewed as they are received. Feasibility Funds The <strong>Board</strong> provides awards of up to 10,000 to assist with feasibility analysis for individual projects <strong>and</strong> up to 15,000 for housing projects involving more than one building. This program pays for appraisals, engineering <strong>and</strong> environmental studies, options, energy assessments, <strong>and</strong> marketing analysis. These awards are instrumental in helping grantees bring projects to the development stage. For a number of years, the Public Service Department has provided the <strong>Board</strong> with funds for energy efficiency analyses in proposed housing developments. Organizational Grants The <strong>Board</strong> provides grants to nonprofits for some of the costs associated with developing affordable housing <strong>and</strong> conservation projects. This crucial support ranges from up to 15,000 for new organizations to up to 40,000 for regional groups actively engaged in developing VHCB projects. Application Procedures Application deadlines, <strong>Board</strong> meeting dates <strong>and</strong> VHCB policies are available from the VHCB office <strong>and</strong> are posted on the <strong>Board</strong>'s web site (www.vhcb.org). Applications are available by request. Please call us for more information or with any questions: General Information: 828-3250 <strong>Housing</strong>: 828-3526 HOME Program: 828-5060 Lead Paint Program: 828-5064 <strong>Conservation</strong>: 828-5066 Farm Viability: 828-0795 AmeriCorps: 828-3253
PROJECT AWARDS BY COUNTY 1987–<strong>2005</strong> GRAND ISLE 16 units 2,980 acres FRANKLIN 247 units 30,096 acres ORLEANS 254 units 19,101 acres ESSEX 13 units 179,432 acres CHITTENDEN 2,609 units 11,557 acres LAMOILLE 162 units 14,612 acres WASHINGTON 654 units 9,197 acres CALEDONIA 320 units 5,168 acres ADDISON 528 units 39,150 acres ORANGE 314 units 9,477 acres RUTLAND 276 units 15,496 acres WINDSOR 874 units 10,323 acres BENNINGTON 322 units 4,282 acres WINDHAM 531 units 8,135 acres
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