Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) celebrated 30 years of grant making at an event at Shelburne Farms, then held a Board meeting two days later, making grants totaling almost $5.2 million to support major affordable housing developments in four communities and to protect farmland in Franklin and Caledonia Counties.
The 30th anniversary celebration at Shelburne Farms, attended by nearly 300 people, highlighted VHCB’s partnerships with dozens of organizations and communities resulting in protection of 265,000 acres of working forests, recreational lands, and natural areas; conservation of 162,000 acres of farmland; development of 12,500 units of affordable housing; restoration of 67 historic properties for community use; lead paint abatement in 2,500 homes; and business planning assistance to 550 farm and forestland owners.
Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts welcomed the attendees, saying, “As VCHB enters a new critical stage, our team led by Governor Scott is committed to the mission. The millions of dollars invested in farming and housing developments are fundamental to our future. We thank those who led the charge 30 years ago in 1987—from Governor Kunin, to Governor Snelling, to Governor Dean, to Governor Douglas, to Governor Shumlin, and now Governor Scott. We say, ‘Job well done and let’s keep focused on the mission where all have a chance to live and work in our little state that thinks big’.”
VHCB’s Executive Director Gus Seelig thanked Madeleine Kunin, who was Governor of Vermont in 1987 when VHCB was created by the Legislature, for her leadership. “She was willing to take a chance on what some thought was a crazy idea—that the environmental community, the farm community, housing developers, historic preservationists, and low-income advocates could all work together,” said Seelig.
To mark the anniversary, VHCB made several awards. TheOutstanding Partnership Awardwas presented to five organizations that have worked together to create housing with support services for medically vulnerable individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Recognition for their outstanding efforts developing Beacon Apartments in South Burlington went to theUnited Way of Northwest Vermont, the Champlain Housing Trust, UVM Medical Center, the Safe Harbor Health Center,andthe Burlington Housing Authority.
VHCB also recognized four individuals for their extraordinary contributions to conservation, affordable housing, and community development:
Gil Livingston, the outgoing Executive Director of the Vermont Land Trust, received the Mollie Beattie Award for his work on the forefront of Vermont’s conservation efforts for more than 25 years, guiding one of America’s most prominent land trusts. In particular, Livingston was recognized for his efforts helping to develop VLT’s Farmland Access Program, which assists aspiring young farmers to acquire conserved farmland. Other initiatives under Gil’s direction include a focus on water quality and large scale forestland protection epitomized by large projects in Bolton and Westmore.
Lyssa Papazian, a historic preservation consultant, was honored with VHCB’s Community Stewardship Award. Along with her work across the state helping communities preserve historic buildings, Papazian helped lead the restoration and adaptation of a church in Putney into Next Stage Arts, a community arts center. She has helped the historic Putney General Store to survive two devastating fires, and serves as manager, having taken over after a former proprietor passed away.
Jon Binhammer, Director of Land Protection for The Nature Conservancy, received the Community Catalyst Award in Conservation for his efforts facilitating complex land protection efforts over 26 years throughout Vermont, including such landmark projects as Green River Reservoir, Shelburne Pond Natural Area, and Black Mountain in Dummerston.
Liz Genge received the Community Catalyst Award in Housing for her 17 years in property management with Downstreet Housing & Community Development. She was cited for her innovation and dedication in addressing the needs of the organization’s most vulnerable residents.
On September 21, VHCB met in Middlebury, committing funding awards for affordable housing and farmland conservation, including:
$2.1 million award to the Champlain Housing Trust for down payment grants to assist thirty households to purchase affordable condominiums in a 97-unit building built by developer Eric Farrell at Cambrian Way, a new mixed-income housing and limited commercial development on North Avenue overlooking Lake Champlain;
$750,000 to Shires Housing and Housing Vermont for Monument View, 24 apartments to be constructed in seven buildings on Eden Way in Bennington;
$645,000 to the Lamoille Housing Partnership and Housing Vermont for the rehabilitation of 18 family apartments in three locations in Hardwick and to address site drainage issues at a fourth building on Church Street;
$683,000 to the Vermont Land Trust to conserve 353 acres of productive farmland with water quality components in Franklin County and Caledonia Counties.
$10,000 to the Vermont River Conservancy to restore and conserve a parcel of riparian land within walking distance of the village of Hancock, creating public access for boating and fishing and adding a campsite to the White River Paddler’s Trail.
Source: VHCB 10.17.2017