Spring has sprung and summer has come in quickly! I am excited to announce that for the first time since 2019 we’ll be hosting our annual Members’ Day Picnic at North Beach! We hope you’ll save the date for Saturday, August 20th, from 11am-1:30pm. Keep an eye out for your official invitation with more details.

Last week I traveled with CHT staff to Washington, D.C., for the Grounded Solutions Network Conference. Grounded Solutions Network is an incredible organization that works to make communities more equitable and inclusive through innovative housing policies. I wrote about my experience at the event and encourage you to take a look.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s an opportunity to increase awareness about how important it is to care about the mental health of our neighbors, and ourselves. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Vermont has many online resources available. If you are in a crisis or need immediate help, contact the Crisis Text Line (text "VT" to 741741), or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Lastly, I hope you’ll consider joining one of the upcoming FREE webinars from our education team and also take a look at a few current job openings we have here at CHT. Our staff are our greatest assets. We have a tremendous team and we’d love for you to join us!

Last week Champlain Housing Trust completed the purchase of Vista Apartments in St. Albans. This acquisition will bring 15 newly constructed, high-quality, permanently affordable apartments in Franklin County on the site of the Cadillac Motel. A majority of these homes will support households experiencing homelessness.

As the annual legislative session wraps up, we wanted to highlight the strong commitment the Vermont Legislature is making to provide quality, affordable housing. The approval of historic investments and policy reforms will address housing inequities and Vermont's affordable housing crisis.

We extend a huge THANK YOU to the Legislature and leadership from House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint for their support.

Champlain Housing Trust residents will soon have access to brand new electric vehicle charging stations at 10 sites in Chittenden and Franklin Counties.

The 20 charging ports will serve a total of 727 CHT residents, thanks to a $206,000 grant from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.