Governor Phil Scott, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA), and the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) announced $30 million in housing assistance to those affected by COVID-19. The programs utilize federal CARES Act funding to provide relief for those tenants unable to pay rent, landlords suffering from a loss of rent payments, and those lower income homeowners needing assistance in paying the mortgage.
These relief programs will be available starting Monday, July 13th through two different programs. Technical assistance for these programs is being provided by Vermont Legal Aid to help tenants and homeowners and technical assistance has been made available through the Vermont Landlord Association to help landlords access these programs.
Rental Housing Stabilization Program
The Vermont State Housing Authority, an agency that manages federal rental assistance programs statewide, will administer the $25 million rental assistance program. The program will provide the VSHA Payment Standard or the actual amount due for the month(s) being claimed, whichever is less, per household at a single unit who meet eligibility criteria.
Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis, and assisted units must be free from life safety hazards. Find applications, additional program eligibility requirements, and answers to FAQs at the VSHA website.
Vermont Mortgage Assistance Program
Vermont’s new Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) was announced today to help low-income homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and are facing economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide up to three monthly mortgage payments directly to the servicer of the mortgage with a goal of preventing future foreclosure. Administered by Vermont Housing Finance Agency with $5 million of the funding provided to Vermont through the federal CARES Act, the program is available to any homeowner who meets the eligibility criteria, and is not just for VHFA borrowers.
