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Soaring fuel costs exacerbate weatherization contractor backlog

With soaring fuel costs, more people are looking to button up their homes to save money and conserve energy. But good luck trying to find a professional contractor. Some are scheduling upwards of a year and a half out to get the work done.

News

Building Bright Futures releases annual State of Vermont's Children report, highlighting homelessness in 2023

On Monday, Building Bright Futures presented its annual State of Vermont's Children Report to the legislature. The report used data from 2022 to outline four policy goals for Vermont, all of which focus on ways to improve early childhood.

News

New Programs Aim to Change Vermont’s Dismal BIPOC Homeownership Rates

Owning a home has many financial benefits and is crucial for building wealth to pass down to future generations. But discriminatory practices have long kept BIPOC people from buying. Today's historically tight housing market — where supply is low, cash is king and interest rates are climbing — is creating even more barriers.

News

Laurie’s House marks 20-year anniversary

A St. Albans domestic violence survivor shelter celebrates 20 years of serving Franklin County. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s Voices Against Violence program opened the doors to Laurie’s House in 2002. It serves as a place domestic violence victims can find somewhere safe to stay.

News

Vermonters Look for Cheaper Ways to Keep Their Homes Warm This Winter

A dramatic increase in the cost of fossil fuels has sent more Vermonters scrambling this autumn to weatherize their homes, line up financial assistance and find cheaper heating options. Energy advocates hope the search will lead householders to cleaner fuels that in the long run are easier on the pocketbook — and the climate.

News

Local organizations preparing to feed people this holiday season

As the holidays approach, some people don't know how they're going to put food on the table for their family's celebration. That is why local organizations are stepping up to help anyone who asks for aid.

News

Amid rising fuel prices, ways to cut costs and get help staying warm this winter

A recent heating bill or fuel-tank fill-up tells you all you need to know: the price of staying warm is painfully high heading into winter.

News

How Voices Against Violence is striving to be more accessible across Franklin County

How Voices Against Violence is striving to be more accessible across Franklin County

News

Weatherization has benefits beyond the pocketbook

In recent weeks, Vermonters have experienced many days of much warmer than normal temperatures, which stressed our utility systems as we cooled our homes. And soon we’ll be thinking about the upcoming winter and the need to heat our homes for several months. One of the most effective methods of reducing the need to excessively heat or cool our homes and manage the associated costs is through weatherization.

News

Food insecurity in Vermont reached all-time highs during the pandemic. Then came inflation

Vermont food banks say they are seeing an increase in the number of people in need of services, driven in part by inflation and the high cost of living. This comes on the heels of the pandemic, when Vermont experienced record-high levels of food insecurity.