Vermonters pay, on average, the 15th-highest rents in the nation, according to a new report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based group, and the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition. The report, Out of Reach 2010, provides housing affordability data for every state, metropolitan area and county in the country. ermont’s rental housing market has been among the nation’s tightest for several years.

Many moms are redefining the stay-at-home experience by using today’s technology – and employers’ growing reliance on free agents – to earn an income without ever setting foot in an office. These home-based working moms – known as “mompreneurs” or WAHMs, which stands for work-at-home-moms – also represent an increasingly attractive labor pool for employers, allowing companies to outsource domestically instead of hiring workers overseas. Working mothers comprise the country’s largest percentage of paid home-based workers, according to a 2004 study, the most recent available, by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As president of the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council, Edna Fairbanks-Williams is driving her tank of a used car to the state capital to defend herself. "I haven't ever seen things so bad, except years and years ago when I first went on welfare and you had to wait six months," she says. Now the great-grandmother of 16 — along with an estimated 65,000 Vermonters who live below federal poverty levels of $10,830 for an individual, $14,570 for a couple and $18,310 for a family of three — is battling like never before to get by.

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In these times when stretching budgets is a challenge, Vermont Public Television’s “Public Square” special for the month will highlight under-used programs that can help. The call-in show, airing Thursday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m., will provide information on 3SquaresVT (formerly food stamps), free meals for school-age children and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

With the price of fuel oil creeping up, and the thermometer dropping, Vermont’s Congressional delegation is asking President Barack Obama to release $590 million in emergency home heating assistance to help low-income Americans get through the winter.

Update on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 04:50PM by VCF Staff

The federal government is giving Vermont about $1.8 million in emergency home heating assistance, but the state's congressional delegation says it should be more.

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The federal government's poverty level guidelines will drop in 2010 for possibly the first time ever, changing the qualifications for a host of programs ranging from state-subsidized health insurance to food stamps. The reduction in what the federal government considers poverty could result in Vermonters either losing benefits they now receive or seeing a decrease in their subsidies depending on their annual household income.

Update on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 11:07AM by VCF Staff

Vermont’s congressional delegation welcomed provisions included in a defense appropriations bill sent to President Barack Obama on Saturday that ensure a strong safety net for low-income Vermonters and promise research jobs to the state. The safety net provisions included a freeze on the poverty level index, which was scheduled to drop Jan. 1.

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An article in the Bennington Banner reports that "a sharp rise in calls on Vermont’s 211 Help Line reflects the depth of the recession in the state." The 211 Line, run by the United Ways of Vermont, provides assistance to Vermont residents who need it - whether for food, clothing, employment, housing, or utility services.

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Click for more information on Vermont 211

Brattleboro Reformer reports that "a year-old program trying to get Vermonters to tighten their homes against the winter chill is planning a series of workshops this fall. Button Up Vermont is asking towns around the state to host one of its home energy savings workshops. The program is planning to visit 100 towns but says slots are filling up fast. Town energy committees, educational centers, civic groups, are being asked to host two-hour workshops. Topics will include where buildings lose heat, how to seal air leaks and other conservation measures."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "the state of Vermont is considering increasing the amount that employers pay into the fund that pays unemployment benefits." The proposed increase would double the amount employers pay into the fund and would increase the amount by 250 percent by 2011. According to Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden, "It is a bad time to be increases the charge, but to do nothing would make the situation worse." Indeed "without the increase, the fund is projected to run out of money within a year." In the meantime, "Vermont's Congressman Peter Welch says a stimulus package now making its way through Congress could deliver between 6 and 15 million-dollars to bolster unemployment insurance coverage in Vermont."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "Douglas administration officials say Vermont's economic downturn means they need to spend more on human services programs even as some of those programs are facing cuts." Currently, "growing case loads in public assistance and other human services programs make up the bulk of nearly $17 million in additional spending the administration is seeking in this year's budget adjustment bill. Even with the new spending, the administration says Vermont needs to trim welfare benefits for some recipients, as well as seeking savings in Medicaid."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "changes to the income and savings restrictions of [food stamp] beneficiaries will allow more people to apply for the [food stamp] federal program." According to Joanne Heidkampwith the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, "The expansion will help both needy Vermonters and the economy." Currently, "the number of Vermonters relying on food stamps has jumped to a record high of more than 60,000 residents, up 7,000 from last year."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "state officials estimate that more than 40 thousand Vermonters will apply for low income heating assistance this winter." According to Fuel Assistance Director Richard Moffi, "The combination of higher prices and a downturn in the state economy is driving an increased demand for the program." He added, "It's a real solid indicator of how worried people are about staying warm this winter even with high fuel prices and the state of the economy even though prices have come down from the summer time highs anything over $2 a gallon is a budget buster for a low income families and folks on fixed income."  Notably forty percent of the program's clients are "elderly or disabled and they're living on a fixed income Social Security or disability benefits."

"The good news is that the federal government this fall doubled its appropriation for the program when heating oil prices topped four dollars a gallon." As a result, the state has "increase[d] the average fuel assistance benefit to roughly $1,700 - that's almost $400 higher than last year."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that according to statistics released by the Federal Highway Administration, "Vermonters have cut back on driving by more than any other state but one." Indeed "in Vermont, the number of highway miles driven for the month was down 7.9 percent. Only South Carolina was down more, at 8.4 percent. Maine was third at 7.5 percent." Overall, "American motorists drove 10.7 billion fewer miles in September than they did for the same month last year. That's a decline of 4.4 percent." Maine Deputy Transportation Commissioner Greg Nadeu explained that "the decline in the northern New England states is probably greater than the nation as a whole because the region is rural and people are more reliant on their cars to get places."

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The Brattleboro Reformer reports that "Vermont 2-1-1 saw a big increase in calls this past October, but is keeping up with the high demand for assistance." Vermont 2-1-1 is a service provided by the United Way of Vermont that is "equipped to help Vermont residents with almost any issue including child care needs, housing, food and drug and alcohol problems."Through the service, "Vermonters who pick up the phone and dial 211 will receive help when it comes to getting in touch with the local agencies that can assist them." Notably, "in October, 2,382 calls were made to Vermont 2-1-1, the second highest call volume ever in a given month. Referrals for basic needs (food, housing/shelter, material goods, temporary financial aid and transportation) hit an all time high and continue to run higher than any other category."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that the Rutland County Humane Society officials will "no longer accept cats or kittens at their shelter" this winter because of "an overflow linked to the worsening economy." Indeed, the Pittsford shelter is "designed to hold about 90 cats" and currently has about 150. "That prompted executive director Gretchen Goodman to temporarily put a halt to cat adoptions Thursday." According to Goodman, "27 cats came into the shelter last weekend alone" and "the economic downturn is driving people to get rid of their pets."

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