Music Man Alban Malanda loves to connect with people. It’s one reason why he offered to serve as a member of Champlain Housing Trust’s Rental Resident Advisory Committee. He feels it’s important that residents have a place to advocate for themselves. “That’s a place where my voice can easily be heard relating to some […]
Homeownership Security through Shared Equity Steve and Rachel Smith knew there was plenty of work to do if they wanted to become homeowners. They lacked savings but were working to get their debt paid down. Homeownership seemed like something that was still far off in the distance, but they were committed to owning their […]
My Dream House Junny Tsiba, a refugee from Congo Brazzaville, spent two years preparing to buy her home. “Renting was fine, but having your own place makes you live the American dream and rewards me for my hard work,” she explained. And hard work it was. Her brand new home in Burlington’s New North […]
A Foot in the Door Homeownership Becomes a Reality Through the Shared Equity Program It takes Tara Burke, a Champlain Housing Trust shared equity homeowner in Milton, a few moments to count up the number of apartments she’s rented around Burlington over the years. “Let’s see, Pine Street, Hayward Street, St. Paul Street, Adams […]
Helping Others Helps Me Resident Board member finds passion for community involvement When Antoinette Bennett-Jones was a new mother with her daughter, she found herself suddenly homeless and the value of affordable housing came clearly into focus. That was thirteen years ago. Having an affordable apartment and support felt even more critical when her […]
Building Wealth with Shared Equity When asked her favorite thing about her home in Colchester, Molly Doherty has a quick answer. While she really appreciates the natural light and original hardwood floors, something else comes out first. “It’s mine!” Room by room, she is starting to make the third floor walk-up her own. She […]
Feeling Connected at Fort Ethan Allen Mary Wilson understands the value of having great neighbors. Before moving into her condo at Fort Ethan Allen, she was living with her daughter in the Adirondacks. One February morning, while her daughter was at work, Mary slipped and fell while walking in the driveway. Thankfully she wasn’t […]
Champlain Housing Trust is excited to announce that the founders of one of Burlington’s busiest and most well-loved restaurants will be expanding their Old North End operations soon. After 14 years in business renting their restaurant space, Pho Hong founders Dao Le and Lan Hong now own the property along with the commercial space right […]
Putting Down Roots Shared Equity Program helps build financial foundation Andrea Solazzo loved living in Burlington’s Old North End. She enjoyed her job as gleaning coordinator at Vermont Foodbank and had lots friends in the area, and after 10 years of renting, she was ready to put down roots in her community. But she wasn’t sure […]
Finding Stability at Congress Street Permanent housing means a brighter future Cory Tedford felt like she had received an early Christmas present in December of 2020. That’s when she and fiancé Josh, and Cory’s service dog Leia, were able to move in to a motel room at Harbor Place in Shelburne. “It was life […]
RESIDENT COMMUNITY LEADERS Volunteerism at Laurentide Apartments [story written in 2021] “This will be the last place I plan to live. I intend to age in place. I’m committed to this community and I want to use my time here to help others,” said Regina O’Flaherty. She was referring to Laurentide Apartments, a new […]
READY SET RENT SUCCESS Innovative credit program helps a couple in crisis SUPPORT TO FIND SECURITY AGAIN Two years ago, Linda and Linwood West were paying the mortgage on their house in Swanton, Linda had a job as a geriatric nurse, and their main concern was [Linwood’s serious health issues]. Then Linda lost her […]
