HHAV is a membership-based advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring all people living in Vermont have safe, stable, affordable homes and if homelessness occurs, it is brief, rare, and non-recurring. This includes the full spectrum of the affordable housing landscape, from rentals to homeownership, from shelter to subsidies and services, from new development to sustaining existing housing, and so much more.
HHAV also serves as the collaborative applicant for the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care.
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Why Should I Join HHAV?
Our members play a vital role in shaping our approach to affordable housing and homelessness support policy in Vermont. They provide us with valuable feedback and direction, and in return, we offer them opportunities to participate in important policy and advocacy discussions. By joining our coalition, members can expect the following benefits:
- Collaboration and advocacy: Our members collaborate to develop policy and advocacy priorities that take a comprehensive approach to reducing homelessness and increasing the availability of affordable housing. We have a strong voice and presence in the State House and deep knowledge about housing and homelessness issues that we use to educate legislators and other stakeholders.
- Meetings: Our monthly meetings are an excellent forum for advocates from all parts of the state to stay up-to-date on policy issues, network, collaborate, and establish new connections in the pursuit of affordable housing for all Vermonters.
Membership in the Coalition is a cooperative relationship – we quite literally could not do the work we do without you. Annual membership dues sustain our organization and have contributed to a number of accomplishments, including:
- Securing a historic $35 million bond to build 550 – 650 permanently affordable homes for low- and moderate income Vermonters;
- Fully developing the Voices of Home story-telling project to give a face to Vermonters who live in affordable housing;
- Increasing funding for VHCB and preserved homelessness assistance funding, including Emergency Housing during dangerous weather;
- Helping to pass regulatory reforms to incentivize housing production;
- Fighting to preserve definitions for affordable housing in state statute;
- Helping to oversee the creation of the “Roadmap to End Homelessness” and bringing its recommendations to key legislative committees;
- Crafting recommendations on housing and homelessness for the Governor’s Pathways from Poverty Council;
- Helping to spearhead a campaign to generate new revenues for housing through a proposed hotel/motel occupancy fee;
- Working with our Congressional delegation and national and regional partners to fight against the Trump Administration’s devastating proposed cuts to housing and safety net programs;
- Helping subsidized housing residents get organized and gain leadership skills; and
- Helping the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care survey and analyze the needs and priorities of its local Continuums of Care.
Suggested membership dues are based on your organization’s (or housing program’s) annual operating budget. We are, of course, grateful for higher contributions. HHAV is committed to open participation: individuals and organizations for whom the suggested amounts are a financial hardship may have dues reduced or waived. Contact helpingtohousevt@gmail.com if this applies to you. Donations are tax-deductible.