Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Housing Authority (BHA), Vermont’s oldest and largest municipally-chartered housing authority, announced today that it has secured additional funding for its rental assistance program, expanding BHA’s capacity to help low-income Vermonters find housing. BHA currently provides over 2,500 very low-income families in the City of Burlington and neighboring communities access to safe, affordable housing and support services, promoting self-sufficiency and vibrant neighborhoods.
Competing nationally with its community partner, the Howard Center, BHA was awarded 45 additional Section 8 Vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These additional vouchers will enable BHA, working in collaboration with the Howard Center and other community organizations, to increase the number of extremely low-income non-elderly disabled individuals able to live independently within the community.
BHA also received notice that it will once again receive an important grant. In partnership with Vermont CARES, BHA successfully renewed a three-year, $382,000 grant to continue assisting low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families with permanent supportive housing activities.
These recent successes highlight BHA’s continued efforts to help end homelessness in the community. In explaining the impact of these achievements, Janet Green, Director of Rental Assistance, said, “BHA continually seeks opportunities to expand the amount of rental assistance resources available to support Burlington's extremely low-income and vulnerable populations.”
Executive Director Allyson Laackman, added, “Through the HUD-funded rental subsidy programs it manages, BHA provides the affordability component to the housing equation for the very low-income households in the community. Without rental assistance, affordable housing for these families would not be available.”
BHA is grateful for the long-term successful partnerships it has with a number of local organizations, which provide supportive services designed to ensure residents are successful in securing and maintaining their housing. BHA is delighted to continue its work, utilizing these recent rental assistance awards in collaboration with VT CARES and the Howard Center.
Source:Burlington Housing Authority 9.20.2018