RuralEdge Responds to Vermont’s Housing Crisis with Immediate Action

As the Northeast Kingdom’s largest nonprofit housing organization, RuralEdge manages nearly 1000 affordable housing units and administers programs that support housing availability for Vermonters in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties. These initiatives range from shared-equity down payment assistance and comprehensive homebuyer education courses for first-time homebuyers to stabilizing housing through the NEK Home Repair Program. In addition to services for renters and buyers, RuralEdge also offers forgivable loans through the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP).

VHIP offers forgivable, zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 per unit to support Vermont property owners in rehabilitating, repairing, or creating rental units. The program aims to increase the availability of safe, code-compliant, and affordable housing across the state. Eligible projects include the construction of new accessory dwelling units, renovation of vacant rental properties, development of new structures with fewer than five units, and code-compliance repairs in occupied units.

VHIP has been highly successful in the Northeast Kingdom, creating and rehabilitating 152 affordable rental units. 72 units are currently under construction. All units will remain affordable housing rentals through the grant period of five or ten years, as agreed upon by the landlord. Many property owners have dedicated their renovated units to community members who have recently been unhoused.

Since the program’s inception, RuralEdge has provided $7,833,096 in funds which were matched with $4,544,536 in landlord funds. VHIP is made possible through legislative allocations. To ensure successful implementation, RuralEdge staff contributed 1,389 administrative hours to conduct property inspections, review applications, and support program execution in 2025.

VHIP applications reopen on January 15, 2026, and close on February 15, 2026. This is a competitive program, and applications will be reviewed for completeness within 30 days of receipt. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant. To apply or learn more, visit https://ruraledge.org/vhip or call 802-535-3555.