It's often that I hear "Wow, I didn't know that Gilman did that?".

 

With over 35 employees working on projects in every corner of the three county region, it's easy to share our experiences and triumphs amongst each other, and then move on to the next activity. In fact, if it were not for our upcoming 25th anniversary, we still might be too busy working to tell you! One thing is certain however, we could not do a single thing without the continued support of our partners and our community leaders.

 

To those supporters and friends who know us well, thank you! Our shared efforts continue to have a profound impact on the well being of countless families and individuals. And to the folks who are just getting acquainted with us, I would like to extend the following invitation:

 

Please provide us the opportunity to tell you more about our vision for vibrant communities that will play a critical role in the future of the Northeast Kingdom. We look forward to your feedback and involvement.

 

Yes, indeed we do amazing things here daily,  and we are renewing our pledge to share these with you often!  Look for more communication from us and opportunities to join us both in work and celebration!

 

We hope you enjoy our new eNewsletter!

 

Merten Bangemann-Johnson, CEO

Gilman Housing Trust, Inc.

mertenbj@nekhome.org

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For 25 years, Gilman Housing Trust has helped thousands of low to moderate income families in the Northeast Kingdom with affordable and sustainable housing choices. Today the need is greater than ever, and you can help!

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In June 2009, VHFA entered into an agreement with the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development to administer the $7 million Home Acquisition and Rehabilitation Program (HARP). This program is a portion of the $19.6 million awarded to the state under the Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). VHFA's responsiblities under the HARP program are to:

 

• Acquire single family homes that have been foreclosed upon;

 

• Rehabilitate them into safe, decent, energy efficient, affordable housing (including bringing them up to the latest building and energy codes); and

 

•Re-sell them using some of the HARP funding to provide significant down payment subsidy to low and moderate income families.

 

In the summer of 2010, Gilman Housing Trust entered into an agreement to provide construction management services for the homes located in the Northeast Kingdom. In return, GHT would receive a percentage of the sale of each home. These homes include a subsidy as part of the purchase price to enhance affordability. The subsidy is included as a second mortgage which stays with the home as long as its owner/resident meets income eligibility requirements.

 

To date, Joe Allard, GHT HARP Project Manager, has overseen the re-birth of eight homes throughout the Kingdom. Many are ready for occupancy, one recently sold, and the remaining will be ready for the summer selling market. Click here to see GHT's full listing of Kingdom HARP homes.

 

The economic impact of this partnership has been a big success story on its own. As of April 2011, 81 area trades people have been employed since the winter of 2010, and over $515,000 has flowed into the region for both labor and local materials.

 

Some of the local companies involved in the project are: Bruce Smith Builder, DRG Electric, Cornell Plumbing & Heating, Green Mountain Foam, Mark Daigle Builder, Sutton River Electric, Daryell's Plumbing & Heating, Carpet Connection, Creative Counters, CDM Builders, David White Builder, Rusty's Electric, Fred's Plumbing & Heating, Don's Carpet One, Garand's Remodeling, R&R Community Builders, Tanner Masonry, Moe's Wood Floor Service, Newland's Drywall, The Propane Depot, 4 Seasons Painting, Mike Desauel Concrete, Todd Scelza Excavating, Ray's Electric, Blanchard Oil, Unlimited Building-Derrick Williams, Switzer Concrete, Ron Chase Plumbing & Heating, Sherwin Williams and Lyndonville Hardware.

 

Contact: theresar@nekhome.org for information on the homes currently offered for sale.

 

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A decade of enhanced federal funding is ending next year, will we be ready?

The year 2012, among other things, is the closeout of a coveted federal funding status for all communities in the Northeast Kingdom. One of only five areas in the US  designated as a REAP Zone, the Kingdom has enjoyed this distinction for just over a decade. With it came expanded funding opportunities for all of the tri-county area. Gilman Housing Trust has extended the rewards of this program to help hundreds of households most at risk through grants for necessary home repairs, senior housing, and decent, safe homes for our low to moderate income families. Other private and public entities have had the advantage of priority funding and expanded opportunities as well.  But in 2012, it is coming to an end and we must now rely on the strength of the partnerships we have formed here in the Kingdom.

 

In November 1999, United States Senator Patrick Leahy's office identified an opportunity within USDA-Rural Development to have the Northeast Kingdom apply for Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) designation. REAP designation requires creation of a comprehensive, long term economic and community development plan. In return, designated REAP areas receive special access to Rural Development and other federal funding opportunities. On November 9, 2000, Senator Leahy informed the NEK Collaborative that its REAP designation had been approved. Since that date, with successful renewals, this designation has meant a significant investment in housing and infrastructure in the area and has made the difference in tens of millions of dollars in projects that benefit NEK residents and businesses.

 

Along with the benefits, the REAP Zone status came with a significant list of responsibilities. The following is an excerpt from that list, and it carries a strong message for survival beyond next year:

 

• Seek a broad range of resources to implement the strategic plan, with emphasis on mobilizing local and regional resources that will continue to be available after the REAP Zone designation expires, rather than looking to USDA or other outside sources to subsidize local development.

 

• Recognize that the objective of the REAP Zone program is not merely project implementation, but community empowerment, and devote significant resources and attention to achieving this by building the skills of citizens and leaders to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate their own programs.

 

• Develop and maintain broad and open partnerships with other local and regional organizations that have a stake in the enhancement of the quality of life in the REAP Zone; these partnerships will become a bridge to establishing the permanent capability of the community t make continuing improvements without special Federal assistance after the REAP Zone designation expires.

 

On September 30, 2012 the REAP Zone designation for the Northeast Kingdom will expire, but not our commitment to our communities. Gilman Housing Trust will certainly feel the loss of this priority funding and we cannot let it slow our mission. Let's endeavor to form stronger partnerships and source greater funding for our corner of Vermont. At the NEK Collaborative, the invitation stands to "join the conversation". Now more than ever, join in and help the conversation lead to action. Click here for more information on the NEK Collaborative.

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Gilman Housing Trust's  definition of "quality" housing has been expanded to include green building practices whenever feasible, and economic and environmental sustainability. As part of this commitment, GHT has partnered with Housing Vermont to redevelop three contiguous multifamily properties in the City of Newport. These properties, now known as 14-54 Sleeper Place, 48 Pleasant Street and 343 Main Street, will be combined to create 21 units of new or fully rehabilitated affordable housing on a parcel containing approximately 1.23 acres, directly adjaccent to Newport's Designated Downtown District.The completed project will be called "Lakebridge".

 

 This redevelopment will address two important housing issues: quality and affordability. As a whole, the existing buildings do not offer residents the quality of life that GHT is known for providing, and they are neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. In addition to the poor condition of the buildings themselves, green space is nearly nonexistent, and parking is challenging. It is our goal to not only improve the structures and the site layout, but to create a sense of neighborhood. Rental assistance from USDA Rural Development Section 521 program will ensure the affordability of the units, guaranteeing that residents will pay no more than 30% of their income to live there.

 

Three of the existing buildings will be fully rehabilitated and reconfigured to contribute seven units of housing. The remaining buildings will be demolished to make way for two new buildings at the center of the combined parcel, containing fourteen units of housing and the Newport offices of Gilman Property Management, Inc. The completed project will include five buildings, 21 units and 41 bedrooms (six 1-bedroom units, ten 2-bedroom units, and five 3-bedroom units), a common laundry room and onsite property management.

 

All units will be Energy Star Rated, and will comply with the 2011 Enterprise Green Communities criteria. Solar rooftop panels will provide domestic hot water for the project.

 

The total development cost of the project will be approximately $6.3 million. All essential funding is in place, including USDA Rural Development, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the HUD HOME program, Vermont Community Development Program, Efficiency Vermont and housing tax credits. Funding is also expected to be provided by the Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership and from historic rehabilitation tax credits. For more information contact: loried@nekhome.org

 

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