Champlain Housing Trust has financing available for a second round of applications for its Farmworker Housing Repair Loan Program. This program provides a loan up to $30,000 for farmers to make essential repairs and necessary improvements to their farmworker housing. The loan is forgiven over ten years so long as the housing is maintained for farmworkers. The program’s purpose is to preserve this important affordable housing resource and to help improve the health and welfare of the farm workforce.
When the program opened last year, CHT received 45 applications seeking $1.8 million. The $500,000 available during the first round allowed loans to support just 15 of the applications. For this second round, CHT received an additional $774,000. The program is funded by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, using funds appropriated by the Vermont Legislature.
Typical health and safety projects include improvements to wastewater systems, air sealing and insulation, noise mitigation measures, overcrowding relief, food prep and storage improvements, mold remediation, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and roof replacements. The program’s first round provided financing to 15 projects improving housing for over 100 farmworkers.
Applications are being accepted through the end of April. Farms that applied the first round and did not get an award are encouraged to re-apply by contacting CHT and submitting an abbreviated application to be considered.