The Vermont Fair Housing Project impacted by federal funding cuts

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The Vermont Fair Housing Project is one of the most recent organizations to feel the impact of the ongoing series of federal funding cuts.

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) runs the project to support fair housing practices, educate people about housing rights, and provide training to community leaders. In addition, they partner with other organizations to help people make housing claims and open unfair practice cases.

The funding cut came four months before their current grant was over and caused them to instantly lose about 80 percent of the project’s budget. CVOEO employees and management said they are worried that the loss of this program seriously impacts people trying to find stable housing. Not only that, but any organization that supports people who may face discrimination is likely to be affected, too.

CVOEO Associate Director Jess Hyman said that many of the programs that are part of the housing project will continue to run, but that the more localized, community-centered programs will likely face reductions due to the sudden lack of funding.

"The work we do that has a more systemic impact. This is the work that is on the ground in the communities, that helps people understand why diversity, equity, and inclusion are so important," Hyman said.

CVOEO will continue running many of the Fair Housing Project programs and workshops as planned, including the upcoming series of events for Fair Housing Month—which starts on April 3.

The organization is looking to local and state grants for funding and will increase outreach to the wider community for financial and volunteer support. If it cannot secure funding, the educational programs that are the cornerstone of CVOEO will be limited in reach, frequency, and capacity.

Community members can support the organization through donations, or by attending a Fair Housing event in April.

For more information about the series of events and how to get involved, visit the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s website.