News & Ideas

Nothing illustrates the importance — and impact — of affordable housing and community development better than stories about the community itself. Learn about the people who develop and build the housing and the people who are built up because of it.

$11.4 Million in New Markets Tax Credit Allocation Secured for the Redevelopment of the Iconic “Yellow Barn” in Hardwick, VT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2023

[Hardwick, VT] – Evernorth Rural Ventures and Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) are pleased to announce the closing of $11.4 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation for the redevelopment of the iconic “Yellow Barn” in Hardwick, Vermont. The NMTC funding supports the construction of a new 25,137 square foot food business accelerator building and the adaptive reuse of the vacant, historic 4,762 square foot yellow dairy barn for use as a retail shop, collectively called the Yellow Barn Business Accelerator.

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Vermont Supreme Court Rules in Latest Challenge to Proposed Housing Community in Putney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2023

[Purney, VT] The Vermont Supreme Court has rejected the latest appeal by opponents of a proposed affordable housing community on Alice Holway Drive in Putney. The ruling by the state’s highest court affirms the Environmental Court’s decision earlier this year rejecting an appeal to the project’s zoning permit.

It marks the latest chapter of a 16-month legal process that began in March 2022 when an appeal was filed contesting the permit and delaying progress of the 25-unit mixed income development.

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Evernorth Rural Ventures Closes $7.1 million New Markets Tax Credit Investment to Expand Hundred Nights Emergency Shelter and Resource Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2023

[Keene, NH] Evernorth Rural Ventures, a subsidiary of Evernorth, is pleased to announce the closing of a $7.1 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) investment to construct a 15,180 square foot, modern, 48-bed emergency shelter and resource center in Keene, New Hampshire. The new facility, is nearing completion and will allow the nonprofit Hundred Nights, Inc. (HN) to centralize, consolidate, and increase their shelter and resource center to better serve low-income individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

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Morrisville Celebrates the Opening of 24 New Affordable Apartments in the Heart of Downtown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2023

[Morrisville, Vermont] – Today, the Morrisville community celebrated the official grand opening of Village Center Apartments with a ribbon cutting, apartment tours, ice-cream and face painting. Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) and Evernorth partnered to repurpose an infill lot and develop this highly energy efficient, multifamily apartment building in downtown Morrisville, close to amenities, recreational opportunities, and community services.

Village Center Apartments includes 24 new affordable homes for low- and moderate-income residents, including 6 apartments that are reserved for households facing homelessness, right in the heart of downtown Morrisville.

“Village Center Apartments will reinvigorate Morrisville’s downtown, supporting the community’s continued success and vibrancy into the future, remarked Jim Lovinsky, LHP’s Executive Director. “We believe that success starts at home, and Village Center Apartments creates opportunities for all community members to thrive.”

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Morrisville Celebrates the Opening of 25 New Affordable Apartments Near Downtown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2023

[Morrisville, Vermont] – On Monday afternoon residents, funders, community members, local legislators and two affordable housing organizations came together to celebrate the completion of Gordon Lane Apartments – 25 affordable homes in two new buildings, including 4 apartments that are reserved for households facing homelessness, within walking distance of downtown Morrisville.

Evernorth and Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) have a successful history of building affordable housing together – and the completion of Gordon Lane Apartments once again highlights the power of partnerships in creating transformative properties that positively impact communities.

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Joint Public Statement: Bemis Block Apartments Accidental Fire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 22, 2022

[Morrisville, Vermont] – On Wednesday, July 20th at 9:30AM, a fire broke out in an apartment in the Bemis Block Apartments building located in downtown Hardwick. The fire was caused by a lit candle in a resident’s apartment. The sprinkler system immediately doused the fire which successfully prevented it from spreading throughout the building and endangering other residents. Area firefighters and emergency crews responded to the site quickly. Upon assessment of the scene, firefighters turned off the sprinkler system. Firefighters remained on site and were joined by building management technicians and clean up professionals to assess the damage.

No injuries to people or property damages in the vicinity related to the fire are known at this time. A building assessment is underway by insurance professionals. The cause of the fire is known and not considered suspicious. Assessment and clean-up efforts are ongoing.

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Joint Public Statement: Village Center Apartments Affordable Housing Construction Site Fire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 5, 2022

[Morrisville, Vermont] – At 8:00 AM on Sunday, July 3, a passerby in downtown Morrisville noticed a fire at the Village Center Apartments affordable housing development and contacted emergency responders. Area fire departments responded quickly. Firefighters successfully contained and put out the fire, and remained on site for several hours to ensure that the fire did not reignite.

Village Center Apartments is currently under construction and does not have residents residing in it presently. Work crews were not at the job site the day of the fire. No injuries to people or property damages in the vicinity related to the fire are known at this time.

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Stowe Celebrates the Opening of New Affordable Apartments Located in Stowe Village

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 14, 2022

[Stowe, Vermont] – Tuesday morning brought together residents, funders, community members, local legislators and two affordable housing organizations to celebrate the completion of 9 new homes and to officially kick-off the second phase of River Bend Apartments.

River Bend Apartments represents the first opportunity that Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) and Evernorth have had to develop affordable housing in Stowe in 10 years. These energy efficient, affordable homes will provide much-needed housing and combine both preservation of existing apartments and new construction in order to best meet the needs of the community.

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Evernorth Closes Third Multi-Investor Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2022

Evernorth closed its third multi-investor fund – Housing New England, Fund III – on March 4, 2022.  This fund will provide equity to finance affordable housing in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

21 investors committed a total of $82.5 million in equity making Housing New England, Fund III (HNE Fund III) a significant financial resource for the region’s critical affordable housing needs. HNE Fund III’s investors include community, regional and national banks as well as one of the nation’s largest mortgage banking organizations.

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Building Homes Together Campaign Announces Bold Five Year Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 14, 2021

Burlington, Vermont – This morning the Building Homes Together campaign launched its second five year targets for making Chittenden County’s housing market healthier, more equitable, and more affordable. Supported by over 125 local leaders, the campaign’s goals include creating 5,000 new homes, with 1,250 permanently affordable, over the next five years. The new homes would include a combination of new rental and homeownership development.

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Brattleboro Celebrates Opening of Second Phase of Red Clover Commons Apartments – Completing the Red Clover Commons Neighborhood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15, 2021

[Brattleboro, VT] The completion of the second phase of Red Clover Commons represents the culmination of an important community building effort begun 10 years ago when Tropical Storm Irene severely flooded the 80 apartments at Melrose Terrace, a public housing development in West Brattleboro. This second phase at Red Clover Commons is comprised of 18 newly constructed homes for former residents of Melrose Terrace. The 3-story, energy efficient building offers 17 one- bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment and completes the Red Clover Neighborhood.

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