Governor Phil Scott, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Vermont’s congressional delegation Wednesday, August 21 announced $2,155,468 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal funding awards through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). These investments will support renovations to existing rental units in the City of Rutland, the redevelopment of underutilized and vacant housing in the City of Rutland and Town of Castleton, construction of water and wastewater infrastructure to support the development of eight Habitat for Humanity homes in Underhill, and making the Vergennes Opera House fully accessible.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the national CDBG program. Six projects are receiving this latest round of Community Development Block Grants:
- Town of Underhill – Subgrant to the United Church of Underhill, who will partner with Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, to construct infrastructure that will serve eight new units of affordable homes.
- City of Rutland – Subgrant to the Housing Trust of Rutland County to complete the renovation of four affordable rental properties with 22 existing housing units and 13 new housing units being created resulting in 35 total affordable housing units located at 194-208 Columbian Ave and 74 Park Street in Rutland and 18 Drake Road in Castleton.
- City of Vergennes – Subgrant to Friends of the Vergennes Opera House to complete renovations to the historic Vergennes City Hall/Opera House that will make the facility compliant with ADA regulations.
- Town of Granville – Grant to the town to develop renovation plans that will bring the historic town hall into compliance with ADA regulations.
- City of Rutland – Subgrant to the Housing Trust of Rutland County (HRTC) to complete planning to merge HTRC and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont into one entity.
- Town of St. George – Grant to the Town of St. George to complete planning activities related to accessibility and ADA compliance upgrades to the Town Office and Old Schoolhouse/Emergency Shelter located at 21 Barber Road.
“The CDBG program continues to be a valuable resource the State of Vermont is using to increase our supply of safe, affordable housing for all,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell. “By leveraging these federal dollars, communities can advance vital affordable housing projects and create more opportunities for residents by making our common spaces more accessible to everyone.”
For more details on these projects, click here to visit the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website.