Building Homes Together Progress; New Food Pantry in Essex; Sign Up for the Housing Jam
Dear CHT Member,
Welcome to the November e-newsletter!
For the past year, in partnership with lead consultant Abundant Sun and six affordable housing organizations (see details below), we have been working to launch a statewide initiative to examine how racial inequities impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) Vermonters’ access to housing. These efforts led to creating the Vermont Racial Justice Housing Jam, a free, four-part speaker series that kicks off at 4:30pm on November 3rd. I invite you to register and attend.
CHT’s printed newsletter At Home was recently mailed to members and residents featuring some great stories and updates. If you haven’t read it, check it out!
Even though one of my favorite holidays has come and gone (Halloween), we are entering a season of celebrations. Here at CHT, we continue to work every day so that everyone has a home to celebrate in. Giving to CHT is one way you can support our work – the generosity of community members allows us to get so much done and also to look ahead to what more we can accomplish because the need is so intense. Please consider making a gift today. We appreciate each and every gift.
Michael Monte, CEO
he/him
Building Homes Together Releases Scorecard
As pictured in this month's banner photo above, representatives from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Evernorth, CityPlace developers, and CHT gathered with local political leaders to call for action toward creating more affordable housing in our region. While some progress has been made in meeting the Building Homes Together goals, the message is clear that there is an acute shortage of affordable housing and it will take continued collaborative and focused efforts and investments to address this.
A brand new food pantry is being created in the alcove of the pool room at Susan's Place in Essex Junction. Volunteers and CHT staff will run the pantry and food and toiletries will be donated from the community, local businesses, and the Vermont Foodbank where CHT is a new network partner. Our hope is that this pantry will provide Susan’s Place residents with supplemental food and also benefit nearby CHT properties. If we reach our goal, this pantry will help more than 350 CHT households annually. Susan’s Pantry isn’t up and running just yet but we’re aiming to be fully operational by the end of December. If you're interested in donating your time or supplies, please email Resident Engagement Manger Kristen Ciambella.
In 2020, CHT created Susan's Place by converting a motel into 68 permanent apartments for people moving out of homelessness and named it in memory of long time CHT staffer Susan Ainsworth-Daniels.
Examining Racial Inequities in Housing
On November 3rd, the Vermont Racial Justice Housing Jam kicks off its free four-part speaker series examining how racial inequities impact access to housing in Vermont. CHT has been working on this statewide initiative for the past year in partnership with Abundant Sun, Downstreet Housing & Community Development, NeighborWorks America, RuralEdge, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Housing Finance Agency and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust.
We have openings in Maintenance and Property Management!
Do you know a talented person with a positive attitude and a strong desire to help others who would make a great addition to our team? Send them to our Career Page to apply!
