Vt. Housing Autority
Turns 40 Years Old

The Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA), the first state housing authority within the continental U.S.A., is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2008. It is an organization which has assisted greatly in Randolph’s rebuilding in the last several decades.

Vermont broke new ground in 1968 when Gov. Philip Hoff approached the federal Agency of Housing and Urban Development with a new concept: a housing authority free to operate anywhere in the state where housing-assistance services for low-to-moderate-income residents were not available from a local authority. HUD officials in Washington extended their unanimous approval, and the Vermont State Housing Authority was created by an act of the Vermont Legislature on March 23, 1968. Other states have since followed Vermont’s lead and established statewide authorities.

The model has proven its merit, as VSHA now provides services that touch nearly every community in Vermont. VSHA assists 8,000 needy Vermont families to secure and retain safe and decent housing.

In Randolph, the contributions of the VSHA have been dramatic. The organization has contributed to several housing projects in town that have been built over many years. The most important is Randolph House, the multi-story brick building on Main Street that 30 years ago was an unsightly and dangerous tenement. All the units at Randolph House currently have Section 8 subsidies from VSHA, according to Julie Iffland of Randolph Area Community Development Corp., which owns the apartment building.

In addition, four units at Hedding Drive have Section 8 project subsidies, and some residents at RACDC’s Joslyn House, Hedding Drive, and Pearl Street get help individually to pay their rent.

Private landlords in our area undoubtedly also have renters who receive assistance from VSHA, Iffland noted.

VSHA has expanded its role greatly since 1968. The Vermont State Housing Authority works with private developers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to create, preserve, rehabilitate, and manage affordable housing for low-income Vermonters.

It administers federal funds that come to Vermont for homeless assistance, and for the last two years has helped coordinate a statewide "Point-in-Time" count of homeless Vermonters, an important step toward providing housing solutions. Plus, VSHA’s innovative Homeownership Program has helped more than 80 Vermont families move off of public rental assistance and become homeowners themselves—a program that has won national recognition and emulation.

In noting his agency’s milestone anniversary, Richard Williams, VSHA’s executive director since 1984, said housing affordability and availability have become critical public concerns in Vermont in recent years.

"This is a very poignant time for us to be celebrating our 40^th anniversary," said Williams. "We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for Vermonters over the past 40 years, but the challenges have never been greater. We’re inspired and motivated by the knowledge that our services are needed more than ever."