text: VHCB Awards $6.6 Million in State, Federal, and Bond Funding to Rehabilitate and Construct 72 Affordable Homes and Protect 5,650 Acres | Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  Contact: Gus Seelig – 828-3251; @email
  Jen Hollar – 828-5865; @email
  VHCB Awards $6.6 Million for Housing in St. Johnsbury, Newport, Rutland, Brattleboro and Vergennes; Land Conservation in Addison, Orleans, Lamoille, Windham, Rutland, and Chittenden Counties
  At a meeting on May 10, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board awarded $6,631,970 in VHCB funding, Housing Revenue Bond funds, and federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for the construction or rehabilitation of 72 affordable homes and to conserve 5,650 acres of natural areas and public recreational lands and 617 acres of farmland.
  Gus Seelig, VHCB Executive Director, said, "These awards will bring state and federal funds to towns throughout Vermont, helping to support the agricultural economy, to create new and rehabilitated homes for low- and moderate-income Vermonters, and to protect water quality and wildlife corridors, secure public access to multi-use trail systems, and add to state forests. Two woodland conservation projects open public access to more than 4,000 acres, while the St. Johnsbury redevelopment of New Avenue Apartments is a long-awaited opportunity for community improvement. The Board is proud to support these important initiatives around the state."
  Local, state and federal officials met with Housing Vermont and RuralEdge in St. Johnsbury to discuss plans to redevelop New Avenue Apartments (formerly known as Depot Square), creating 39 quality, affordable rental apartments in the historic building in the center of the downtown.
  Glebe Mountain, where 3,469 acres adjacent to the summit will be conserved. Photo by David Barnum
  Stowe - A 750-acre parcel of forestland on the west side of the Worcester Range—the largest remaining unprotected privately-owned forest tract in Stowe—will be purchased and conserved by the Stowe Land Trust, using $175,000 in VHCB funding for the $5.5 million acquisition. The Stowe Land Trust will transfer the conserved land to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation as an addition to the 14,000-acre C.C. Putnam State Forest, allowing for public access to the land for the first time in several years. With two miles of Class IV roads, connections to a VAST trail, and the location close to Stowe Village, the acquisition will protect wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors, allow for sustainable timber management, provide for non-motorized public recreational use, and preserve the integrity of a large tract of forestland. The headwaters of Moss Glen Brook drain from the property into the Winooski River and Lake Champlain. A local fundraising campaign is well underway, with the goal of raising $750,000 from 750 donations for the project and a contribution to Stowe Land Trust's stewardship endowment. An anonymous private philanthropic donation of $5 million through the Vermont Community Foundation will provide most of the funding for the project.
  Brattleboro – Groundworks Collaborative will construct a new building on South Main Street for a day shelter that will convert each November through April to an overnight winter warming shelter with 34 beds for homeless individuals; as well as bathrooms, showers, kitchen, laundry, and lockers. The existing drop-in center will be rehabilitated for program and administrative use. Groundworks will assist clients to secure housing and services, providing counseling, a food shelf, and supportive housing case management. Services will also be provided on-site by the Brattleboro Retreat, and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Groundworks has raised $1,030,000 in private funds, another $460,000 in additional public funds, and needs to raise another $1.61 million for the $3.1 million development. VHCB awarded $200,000 in state funds and $125,000 in Housing Revenue Bond funds.