20th Anniversary Edition - Housing Trust of Rutland County

20th Anniversary Edition
Our Mission
The Housing Trust of Rutland County serves the
community and people of limited means by creating a
continuum of housing opportunities through ongoing,
innovative development. We expand capacity and
resources through collaborations with other community
organizations. We are resident-focused, aggressive, and
bold as we address unmet needs. The Housing Trust
is building a culture of interdependence between healthy
families, neighborhoods, and communities.
Twenty Years of Affordable Housing Solutions
Dear Friends,
I’m excited! We are celebrating twenty years of providing affordable housing solutions to
Rutland County. We purchased an old farm house in 1991, and have been growing ever since.
In 1989, a group of local folks were concerned about the impact the real estate boom was
having on their neighbors. They pooled their energy, ideas and resources and set about to
create new opportunities that would last a lifetime and beyond. They created the Rutland
County Community Land Trust and began one property at a time . . . one family at a time . . .
to make a difference.
And what a difference we’ve made! In 20 years, we’ve expanded services into 11 towns
within the County. We’ve purchased 44 rental properties, and created 214 affordable apartments. We’ve developed mobile home parks—an important resource because they enable
some to become homeowners when homeownership feels out of reach. We have also
assisted 35 families with the purchase and ownership of their own homes through the
unique community land trust shared equity program.
In addition to the purchase and ownership of real estate, the Housing Trust provides
individuals and families with information and support for their own searches for ‘home.’
Sometimes, this involves serving as a relocation coordinator for groups of residents in dire
need. Specifically, the Housing Trust has developed a model program to relocate mobile home
park residents and their homes when faced with the closure of their parks.To date, three parks
have closed and 44 households have been relocated to homes of their own choosing.
In 2009, we changed our name to Housing Trust of Rutland County to better describe
what we are all about. While we are known for the visible—our buildings and sites—it’s
the impact on people that is truly notable.
Working families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, and single parents all need a
safe and decent place to live. We all deserve to live with dignity and respect, and where we
live should not impact our value in the community. The Housing Trust strives to create and
manage housing that is not just affordable and safe, but attractive and respectable too.
We believe everyone should have a place they are proud to call home.
Celebrate with us—for there is much to be excited about!
—Elisabeth Kulas, Executive Director
From 1991 to 2011 and on and on . . . Forever
Twenty years sure does fly when you are working hard. In the grand scheme of forever,
it’s just the beginning.
The Housing Trust is unique in Rutland County in its commitment to owning and managing
its affordable housing resources forever. This commitment enables us to keep our apartments, mobile home lots and homeownership opportunities affordable for the long term.
But, this commitment comes with a special obligation . . . stewardship.
The Housing Trust owns 44 properties which must be carefully maintained and upgraded to
remain safe and attractive forever. This requires special attention to financial resources and
sometimes creates new challenges.
Most importantly, we must look after our people connections. While we are known for
what we build, it’s the human element where we have the most impact. Nurturing relationships with community leaders, next door neighbors and the people living in our housing is
as important as maintaining our buildings.
We are striving for strong community and we deliberately set about to create hope in the
nooks and crannies in the world surrounding us. We need you, our neighbors and friends,
to celebrate our successes with us, for we have much to celebrate. But don’t stop there.
Hold us to our mission. Participate. Become a part of the hope in our world!
In 20 years, we have served over 1,000 families and individuals. Isn’t that tremendous?
Just think about the number we can impact into the future. Forever is a long time!
—Al Wilkinson, President, Board of Directors
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A Place for
Single Parents
We sit in Sheila’s bright and comfortable
living room, watching her daughter Brianna think
seriously about walking for the first time.
“I love this place,” says Sheila of her apartment on Cottage
Street. “My neighbors in the building are great, and one of
them is a single mom who can relate.”
Sheila, who grew up 45 minutes away in Bethel, moved to
the area to work with Rutland Mental Health after graduating from college in 2007. She found a tiny one-bedroom
apartment that was affordable, but a year later when she was
pregnant with her first child, she realized that she would need
to find a larger place that was out of her price range.
A lot of single parents on just one income have a difficult
time affording decent housing in Rutland County, and Sheila
was no exception. “I’d heard about The Housing Trust from
a friend, and decided to apply,” she says. “I was so excited
when I was shown this apartment. It was brand new, within
walking distance of downtown, and it was affordable!”
“
I love this place. . . . My neighbors
in the building are great, and one of
them is a single mom who can relate.
3
“
If it wasn’t for the Housing
Trust . . . I don’t know what
we’d be doing right now.
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A Place for
Our Elders
Ken Spaulding, his wife Linda, and
Choo Choo, their Pekinese have been
living in the Colonial Apartments in West Rutland
for eleven years—as long as Choo Choo’s
been alive.
Linda has a number of medical expenses that
would have made it impossible for her and Ken
to afford the area’s high rent. Fortunately, there
was a Housing Trust apartment available. “We are
thankful for this place,” says Linda. “It’s so quiet
here.” “And the maintenance staff are great,” adds
Ken. “They’re usually here the next day or so if
something needs fixing.”
Being freed from worrying about how to pay
their next rent check has enabled them to give
their time generously to the community. They
are both involved in the life of their church, Ken
restores and repaints religious statues in churches
around New England, and Linda has recently been
knitting hats for infants.
Providing decent housing for our elders, where
they can live in a safe, clean, and beautiful place, is
one of the goals of the Housing Trust of Rutland
County. “If it wasn’t for the Housing Trust,” says
Ken, “I don’t know what we’d be doing right now.”
5
“
If you’re a young couple
who wants to stay in the area,
check out the Housing Trust.
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Saving a Place
For Young Families
When Blythe was accepted at
Castleton State, she moved from
Springfield to Rutland with husband
Bryn and daughter Alex so she could
be closer to school. Bryn and Blythe were
surprised by the high rents in the area—$900 a
month for a run-down one-bedroom apartment
not including utilities. “Fortunately, I’d heard about
the Housing Trust of Rutland County while I
was working at the Springfield Chamber of
Commerce,” says Blythe, “so I gave them a call.”
The Housing Trust had a perfect place for them.
It was an easy commute to Castleton for Blythe,
and within walking distance to the Pyramid Wellness Center, where Bryn works as the manager and
a Reiki practitioner. Five-year-old Alex can also walk
with her dad to the Rutland County Parent-Child
Center, where she is in preschool.
As housing costs rise, often the first people to
be squeezed out are young families with children.
Studies have shown that many young people end
up leaving the area where they grew up simply
because they can’t afford the high cost of rent.
“Living in affordable housing is not something people
aspire to,” observes Blythe. “But if you’re a young
couple who wants to stay in the area, check out the
Housing Trust.”
“I think people would be excited about how
beautiful the Housing Trust apartments are,” adds
Bryn. “And you don’t need to mow the lawn.”
7
“
They are a wonderful and diverse
group. I’m thankful for the opportunities
I’ve had to work with them!
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A Place for Owning
Your Own Home
Rosa-Lee and Ted Gould’s home is
surrounded by beautiful plantings,
and Rosa-Lee can tell you a story about where
each plant came from. “That one,” she says as she
points to a white lilac in full bloom, “came from
my parents’ house where I grew up. It always was
one of my favorite plants.”
The Gould’s purchased their home through the
Housing Trust’s HOMELAND Program, which
subsidizes the purchase price of a home, making it
more affordable for people who otherwise might
be closed out of the market. “I was volunteering
at the Housing Trust at the time,” recalls Rosa-Lee,
“and some of the staff came to me and said ‘You
should buy this house.’ Ted and I had no money.
Then we discovered that the apartment we were
living in was going to be torn down. I said to Ted,
‘Maybe we should go look at that house.’ ”
They bought the house in 1991 and are still
living there today. In 1994, Rosa-Lee joined the
Housing Trust board, and served for 16 years,
until retiring from the board last year. “I’ve been
the secretary, the vice president, and the president,” says Rosa-Lee. “They are a wonderful and
diverse group. I’m thankful for the opportunities
I’ve had to work with them!”
Though she’s retired from the board, Rosa-Lee
is looking forward to other opportunities to
advocate forarea residents who can’t afford a
decent place to live.
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“
It’s great for me to be able to afford
to live in the community where
I was born and raised . . .
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A Place for
Longtime Residents
“Fair Haven is home for me,” says
Phyllis Hitchcock, who is busy planning
her Fair Haven High School class’s 50th reunion.
Though she retired from the Sager Nursing
Home when it closed in 2001, she remains active,
helping to build a float for the Memorial Day
parade, and biking everywhere around town
(she’s never had a driver’s license). In her spare
moments, she dotes on her two cats, Patches
and Blacky, and faithfully follows the Red
Sox on NESN.
Phyllis has lived in a Housing Trust apartment for
14 years. “It’s great for me to be able to afford
to live in the community where I was born and
raised,” says Phyllis. “The location is perfect—
I can ride my bike anywhere in town because
it’s so close.”
“I’ve been in Fair Haven longer than any of
my other high school classmates,” adds Phyllis.
“Thanks to the Housing Trust for making
it possible.”
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Donors
We thank you! Housing Trust of Rutland County thanks its numerous supporters
for their generosity. Their incredible financial and in-kind support helps us continue to
strengthen our local communities and neighborhoods. Our work would not be
possible without you.
Listed below are all individuals, businesses, corporations, funders, investors and foundations
who have made contributions over the past 20 years. If we have incorrectly listed or
omitted your name, please accept our apologies and help us to improve our accuracy
by call us at 802-775-3139. Thank you.
Founders
Founders
($1,000 & over)
Anonymous (5)
Central Vermont Public Service
Benefactors
Chittenden Bank
($500–$1,000)
Bob & Kathryn Clark
Clay Point Associates
Patrons
Cocoplum Appliance
($250–$500)
Flying Colors Painting
Heritage Family Credit Union
Guardians
Housing Vermont
($100–$250)
J.D. Kantor Associates
Key Bank
Supporters
Linda & Russell Kulas
($50–$100)
Bill Lohsen Plumbing & Heating
O’Brien Shortle Reynolds & Sabotka
Friends
Roy Rotella
($49 & under)
Rutland Regional Planning Commission
Slate Valley Electric
TD Bank
The Quinn Company
Vermont Country Store
Wehse & Kinney Insurance
Women of Trinity
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Benefactors
Patrons
Abatiello Design Center
Deb Augenthaler
AMG Electrical Design
Beaudry Painting Company
Dr. Fred & Jennifer Bagley
Scott & Sharon Blakeslee
Jeff & Joy Barrett
David & Taina Boyton
Andy Bray
Casella Waste Management
Jill Broderick, Esq.
Charitable Solutions
Nicole Caruso
Chris Fucci and Associates
Citizen’s Bank
Cohen & Rice
Commercial Building Services
Criterium-Lalancette Engineers
Patricia Cuddy
Cross Consulting Engineers
Dr. Michael & Susan Dick
Kathleen Dodge
Don Eatmon
Mark Foley
Forty Seven Main Street
Foundation Antiques
Allen & Sandi Gartner
Gilmore Home Center
Gensburg Atwell & Greaves
Patricia Hadam
Rosa-Lee & Ted Gould
Danita Hanson & David Martin
Barbara Hanson
Innovative Consulting Engineering
Patricia Hanson
Kinney Pike Insurance
Holmberg Construction
Bill & Sandy Kuehn
Henry & Katrina Hotchkiss
Ted & Patricia Mandeville
Kevin Jones
McEnaney & Company
Elisabeth Kulas & Mike Klopchin
Kiki McShane & Mike Galvin
Mitigate
Quality Property Management
Candace Neary & Annette Lynch
Doug Racine
Michael O’Malley
Jo & Grant Reynolds
James Otis
Eric Reynolds
Rutland Fuel Company
Cathy Reynolds & Doug Fontein
Smalley Contractors
Margaret Riter
Jim Taggart
Rutland Regional Medical Center
Town of Rutland
SVE Associates
Vermont Mutual Insurance Company
Phil & Lucy Tenenbaum
Vermont Roofing
Linda Wright
Al & Anna Wilkinson
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Guardians
Sue O’Rourke
American Legion Post 39
Ted Parisi Esq.
Margery Anderson
Parkers Classic Autoworks
Robert and Bonnie Baird
Proctor Gas
Donna Bauer
Dr. Michael Robertello
Thomas Boswell
Rotary Club of Rutland
Stephen Cable
Royal Glass & Security Co.
Julie Cooper
Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce
David Cooper, Esq.
Rutland Roofing Co.
E. P. Management
Rutland United Neighborhoods
Coleen Eddings
Sargeant Appraisal Service
Engelberth Construction
Jeremiah & Nonnie Tarr
Christine Graham
The Stove Depot
Mildred Graham
Tossing Funeral Home
Martin & Janet Hahn
TwinState Sprinkler
Hawley’s Florist
Unitarian Universalist Church
Hover Productions
Wallingford Rotary Club
Tara Kelly
Dorothy Webber
Dr. Michael Kenosh & Kristen Kenosh
Yankee Electric
Allan Keyes, Esq.
Killington-Pico Rotary Club
Supporters
Elaine Latzky
Bill Anderson
LDT Ltd.
Chrystal Arnold
Marit Lewis
Paula Baker & Jane Quigley
Anne Lezak & Dr. Harry Chen
Steve & Bonnie Benson
Gil Livingston & Amy Wright
Berkley Veller & Greene Real Estate
Liz Pritchett Associates
Robert Bowen
Long Trail Electrical Contractors
Pawz Brown
Ron McPhee, Esq.
Capital Ideas
Merchants Bank
Michael Coppinger
Mid-State Appliance
David Dress
Peter Miller
Diane Eastman
Karen Moore and Kevin Smith
Terri Edgerton
Naylor & Breen Builders
Roberta Ezratty
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FirePro Tec
Martha Crilly
Drs. Judith Fisch & David Heaton
Peter Fagan
Ed Fowler
Caprice Hover
Franklin Conference Center
Carson Jones
Richard Giddings
Tom Kasper
Nanci Gordon
Anne & Norman Ladabouche
Gail Graves
Albert Marro
James & Mary Griffin
Martha McCaughin
Knight Kitchens
Virginia McCormack
Mary Krysztofik
William McDonald
Cookie & Israel Mac
Bryn Milks
Ken & Cheryl McEwan
Leona Minard
Mickenburg Dunn Kochman Lachs & Smith
Rev. Audrey Murdock
Polly Nichol
Michael Ouellette
Patten Oil Co.
Plaza Appliance Center
Rep. Dave Potter & Sue Potter
Alice Pope
Glen & Patty Roberts
John Riker
Rutland Printing Company Inc.
Andrea Seddon & Adam Bauer
Morris Silver, Esq. and Toby Silver
Megan Smith
Nancy Stevenson
Peter Traverse
Joe Tilden
Tanya Tredwell
Cheryl Ullman
Mary Turner
Norm Vadnais
Nancy Wasserman
Bill & Polly Wright
Erik Wilder
Anne Zawistoski
Chuck & Wendy Wilton
Friends
Towns
Rep. Joe Acinapura
Town of Brandon
Advanced Answering Center
Town of Clarendon
Christine Anderson
Town of Mount Holly
Joseph & Carol Barbagallo
Town of Shrewsbury
Jared Chesser
Town of West Rutland
Peter Chilos
Norman Cohen, Esq.
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Foundations
Kohn Rath Blackwood & Danon
Carris Corporate Foundation
Norman and Anne Ladabouche
Friendship Fund
Lake George Steamboat Company
Golub Foundation
LaValley’s Building Supply
Mark J. Gordon Foundation
Leslie Keefe Consulting
Merchants Bank Foundation
Marble Valley Reprographics
Vermont Community Foundation
Michael’s Toys
Modern Cleaners
In Kind Donors
Ninety-Nine Restaurant
Anonymous
Panda Pavilion
Aaron’s Sales & leasing
Paramount Theater
Applebee’s Grill and Bar
The Party Store
Avanti Hair Styling
People’s United Bank
B&B Rubbish Removal
Pizza Hut
Be Music
Price Chopper Supermarket
Berkshire Bank
Quickprint
Bouyea Fassetts Bakery
Ramada Limited
Cavalier Painting
Red Roof Inn
Citizen’s Bank
Revisions, Inc.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Rotella Building Supply
Comfort Inn at Trolley Square
Rutland Plywood
Denny’s
Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd.
Essential Alternatives
Sabby’s Pasta House
Fair Haven Inn
Sal’s Restaurant
Garden Time
South Station Restaurant
Handcarved by Ernie
Tattersall’s
Hannaford’s
Vermont Electric Power Co.
Hawley’s Florist
Vermont Pure Natural Spring Water
Brian Hobbs
Weathervane Seafood Restaurant
Home Depot
F.W. Webb Company
Hubbardton Forge
Yankee Paint
J&S Davis Excavation
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Projects and
Program Support
Vermont Community Loan Fund
BROC Weatherization Program
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Efficiency Vermont
Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership
HOME
Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Merchants Bank
Vermont Lead Program
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Vermont State Housing Authority
Vermont Downtown Tax Credit Program
People’s United Bank
Preservation Trust of Vermont
Project Investors
Rehab Investment (Historic Preservation)
Tax Credit Program
Arrow Financial Corporation
Bank of America
US Department of Energy
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc.
US Department of Housing and
Urban Development
Central Vermont Public Service
Citizens Bank
US Department of Housing and
U
rban Development EDI Grant Secured
by Senator Jim Jeffords
Green Mountain Housing Equity Fund IV
Housing Vermont
Key Community Development Corporation
US Department of Housing and Urban
D
evelopment EDI Grants Secured by
Senator Patrick Leahy
Lake Sunapee Bank
Merchants Bank
US Department of Housing and Urban
D
evelopment EDI Grant Secured by
Senator Bernie Sanders
National Bank of Middlebury
People’s United Bank
TD Bank
USDA Rural Development
Vermont Affordable Housing
Tax Credit Program
Vermont Agency of Commerce
and Community Development
Vermont Community Development
P
rogram through:
City of Rutland
Town of Brandon
Town of Castleton
Town of Clarendon
Town of Fair Haven
Town of West Rutland
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Meet Our Board
Pictured: (Left to Right)
Back row:
Jim Ampatiellos, Al Wilkinson (President),
Kiki McShane, Sherman Hunter
Middle row:
Terri Edgerton (Vice-President),
Gail Graves, Candace Neary,
Barbara Hanson (Secretary)
Front row:
Bryn Milks, Allen Gartner, Tara Kelly
Not pictured:
Pawz Brown, Marit Lewis, and
Thaddeus Lorentz (Treasurer).
In 2011, we lost a beloved board member, Mike O’Malley, suddenly.
We dedicate this publication in his memory. His belief and steadfast
commitment to our work in the greater Rutland community inspires
us as we move forward without him. We miss Mike tremendously.
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And Our Staff
Pictured: (Left to Right)
Eric Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer
Dan Smith, Maintenance Supervisor
Mike Davis, Maintenance Specialist
Dawn Chilos, Administrative Assistant
Pat Hadam, Chief Operating Officer
Krey Kellington, Property Manager
Elisabeth Kulas, Executive Director
Kathy Dodge, Compliance Administrator
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Our Programs
Affordable housing solutions . . . that’s what we do! The Housing Trust of Rutland County strives
to offer a spectrum of services and programs aimed to meet the local needs of individuals and
communities. Its specialties include rental housing, mobile home parks, and special needs
housing, as well as informing the community planning process. More specifically,
We Develop New Housing
The Housing Trust creates high quality, attractive and safe rental housing in the population
centers within Rutland County, Vermont. We seek sites and buildings that will not likely
be redeveloped by others, and that will make a strong positive impact in a neighborhood.
Old neighborhood schools, abandoned older homes, infill lots and downtown buildings
suitable for upper floor residential space have all proven to make ideal new housing
opportunities. We often preserve historic buildings, clean up contaminated sites, and
always strive to complement the traditional architecture of the surrounding neighborhood.
We Manage Rental Housing
The Housing Trust manages the properties it develops. The management approach is
mission based, with the hope that residents will stay in their homes for the long term,
care for the property and participate in community property management activities.
We Work with Mobile Home Parks
In addition to rental housing, the housing trust purchases and upgrades mobile home parks
or develops new ones. Mobile homes are an important homeownership option in rural
Vermont where incomes are often too low to support traditional homeownership, but
the American Dream is still alive. The, Housing Trust owns the park and leases the lots
to mobile home owners. In addition to owning and managing mobile home parks, the
Housing Trust is also the local leader in mobile home park relocation efforts when
privately-owned parks close.
We Run a Small Homeownership Program
Since its inception, the Housing Trust has operated a traditional community land trust
(resale-restricted) homeownership program. While this program is small, homeowners
and homebuyers receive individual support through the purchase, long term ownership,
and resale of their homes.This program has enabled families and individuals the opportunity
of homeownership that they otherwise would not have been able to afford.
We Provide Technical Assistance to Communities
Whether it be a community planning process, or reconsideration of a local rental housing code,
the Housing Trust is frequently the local “go-to expert” on housing policy and needs analysis.
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The Housing Trust of Rutland County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. Contributions are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.
For more information contact us at 802.775.3139.
Woodwardesign
www.housingrutland.org
Phone: 802.775.3139 Fax: 802.775.0434
13 Center Street, 2nd floor Rutland, Vermont 05701
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 130
Rutland, VT