Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

1/1/23

A new day, a new month, and a new year! Although the weather on New Year’s Eve was not perfect, fireworks seemed to be exploding in many places. I did not stay up for midnight (I am just too old), but was awakened by loud bursts in the neighborhood by those reveling in the New Year.

Anyone interested in watching the recent housing meeting (12/19) may do so at http://www.okemovalley.tv. It appears that the VHIP program may have been inundated with applications and may not accepting new ones at this time.

Rep-Elect Tesha Buss ( http://www.teshabuss.com) has compiled a more extensive list of resources that I am copying below. The Hub can provide assistance in filling out these applications and be contacted at https://woodstockcommunitytrust.org/current-projects/the-hub.html?blm_aid=557056

Programs for Individuals:

Rebates for energy efficiency/electrification projects https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates

Help with heating: https://buttonupvermont.org/

Funding to repair vacant rental units or add an accessory dwelling unit: https://accd.vermont.gov/housing/vermont-housing-improvement-program

Emergency rental assistance: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/reachup/RUERA

Child care financial assistance: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/ccfap

Subsidy for groceries: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT

Subsidy for internet service: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/affordable-connectivity-program

Help with utility bills: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/node/2035

First Generation Homebuyer Grant: https://www.vhfa.org/homebuyers/First-Generation-Homebuyer-Grant-Program

Funding for projects that spur economic recovery (like housing or childcare projects, or agriculture, arts, recreation or food businesses)

https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/community-recovery-and-revitalization-program

Funding for agricultural and forestry businesses: https://workinglands.vermont.gov/grant-contract-opportunities/arpa-primary-producer-impact-grant

Health insurance plans and subsidies: https://portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov/VTHBELand/welcome.action

Remember you must register for Health insurance by Dec 15 for a January 1 start date. Also take note that the income thresholds were increased allowing more Vermonter’s access to tax credits to lower their monthly premiums!

BROADBAND

It is likely that Federal funds are coming to VT to help install more Broadband infrastructure, but many of the Federal map locations state that broadband is available at locations where broadband doesn’t exist yet. Be a part of the solution to get broadband to every house in VT, no matter how rural! Click on this article below to learn more and to follow the links to check the status of your home and business. It is very simple to challenge your location, if the map says broadband is available when it is not.

VT Digger Article to Challenge Errors in Broadband:

https://vtdigger.org/2022/12/09/officials-urge-vermonters-to-challenge-errors-in-fccs-new-broadband-map/?utm_source=VTDigger+Subscribers+and+Donors&utm_campaign=39d7e2134d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_12_10_03_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dc3c5486db-39d7e2134d-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D