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The Vermont Statutes Online



Title

03APPENDIX

:
Executive Orders






Chapter

033

:
HUMAN SERVICES











 

§

EO33-22. (No. 08-11) [Vermont Housing Council

WHEREAS, decent

and affordable housing is a basic need of all Vermonters and an important

component of a viable economy; 

WHEREAS, there

exists a significant and growing need among Vermonters to secure safe, decent

and affordable housing, especially for families and those with low incomes;

WHEREAS, federal

funds for housing have been substantially reduced and state and local housing

resources remain limited;

WHEREAS, the

price of unregulated fuels poses a threat to the sustainability of Vermont's

affordable housing stock and state policy requires investment in energy

efficiency and renewable energy;

WHEREAS, the

continued development of affordable housing involves myriad barriers that must

be considered and evaluated so that affordability is achieved and

maintained; 

WHEREAS, the

preservation of affordable housing at risk of loss as a result of deterioration

or conversion is a state priority;

WHEREAS,

Vermont's role in the promotion of permanently affordable housing is recognized

internationally; and

WHEREAS,

cooperation and collaboration among state and federal agencies and housing

providers is necessary to implement the state's housing policy.

NOW, THERE, I,

Peter Shumlin, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby order

as follows:

1. The Vermont

Housing Council is formed to coordinate and oversee implementation of the

state's housing policy, to evaluate housing services and initiatives, and to be

a resource to housing providers in their efforts to supply decent and

affordable housing to Vermonters.

2. The

Commissioner of the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development

(or designee) shall serve as chair of the Council. Other members shall include

representatives of the Vermont State Housing Authority, the Vermont Housing

Finance Agency, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Vermont

Association of Public Housing Directors, the United States Department of

Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Agriculture, the

Vermont Agency of Human Services, the Vermont Department of Public Safety, and

the Division for Historic Preservation of the Agency of Commerce and Community

Development. Appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the agencies they

represent. The Governor shall also appoint community members to represent each

of the following interests: a statewide nonprofit housing developer, a regional

nonprofit housing provider, a private sector housing provider, and a low-income

advocate. These four community members shall each serve two-year terms

beginning February 1 in odd-numbered years, and until their successors are

appointed and qualified.

3. The

responsibilities of the Vermont Housing Council shall include, but not be

limited to:

a. reviewing and

analyzing available information and data on housing resources and related

issues including housing, energy and transportation costs for low and moderate-

income Vermonters as well as credit availability, foreclosures, regional

development trends, and coordination between housing and services;

b. recommending

initiatives to increase the supply of smart growth sites for affordable

housing, seeking the elimination of regulatory barriers for affordable housing

and promoting the development of resources for such housing;

c. considering

innovative private/public partnerships and initiatives designed to create and

maintain housing opportunities for low-income Vermonters;

d. providing an

organized forum for the discussion of affordable housing issues and to propose

reasonable solutions;

e. recommending

models of partnership among housing and human service providers to implement

supportive housing solutions that alleviate homelessness, and reduce recidivism

and institutionalization;

f. recommending

policies to the governor and congressional delegation that can improve

Vermont's access to resources, housing quality and affordability; and

g. establishing

subcommittees to address specific issues and develop recommended solutions.

4. The Council

shall be attached to the Department of Economic, Housing and Community

Development for administrative support. To the extent funds permit, community

members shall receive reimbursement of expenses and a per diem pursuant to 32

V.S.A. § 1010(e).

This Executive

Order shall take effect upon signing and rescinds Executive Order No. 02-95

(codified as Executive Order No. 33-10).

Dated June 27,

2011.