Burlington Housing Trust Fund

The Burlington Housing Trust Fund is a municipal funding initiative established by the City of Burlington to support the development, preservation, and sustainability of affordable housing for low-income residents. Created through a city ordinance approved in 1988, the fund operates as a restricted account outside of the general municipal budget. Its primary purpose is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants and loans to nonprofit housing organizations and other eligible entities working to expand affordable housing opportunities. The fund is administered through the Community and Economic Development Office and guided by a dedicated administrative committee that evaluates proposals and allocates funding. The Spring funding round seeks proposals for projects and organizational activities that directly address the housing needs of low-income residents in Burlington. The program prioritizes initiatives that serve households earning at or below 100 percent of the area median income, with a stronger preference given to those serving households at or below 50 percent. The fund emphasizes long-term affordability, particularly supporting projects that create new permanently affordable housing units. In addition to development-focused funding, the program offers capacity grants to nonprofit organizations engaged in housing-related activities, including staffing, planning, and operational support. Funding for this cycle is capped at a total of 750000 dollars. While project grants may vary in size depending on scope and need, capacity grants are limited to a maximum of 10000 dollars per program. All awarded funds are expected to be expended by June 30, 2027, aligning with the fiscal year requirements. The funding supports a range of eligible uses, including construction, feasibility studies, and organizational capacity building, but restricts service-based organizations to smaller capacity-focused awards. Eligibility for project funding is broad and includes nonprofit corporations, municipal entities, limited equity housing cooperatives, for-profit organizations, partnerships, and individuals. However, applicants must meet specific compliance criteria, including being in good standing with city tax obligations and free of certain legal violations related to housing practices and building codes. Capacity grants are specifically targeted toward nonprofit organizations that are actively involved in creating or preserving affordable housing for qualifying income groups. Applications must be submitted electronically via email in PDF format and include a completed application form along with all required attachments. Separate application forms exist for project grants and capacity grants, each requiring detailed narrative responses addressing project scope, financial need, alignment with city housing priorities, and impact on vulnerable populations. The submission deadline for this funding cycle is June 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. No alternative submission methods are accepted. The evaluation process begins with an eligibility review conducted by the Community and Economic Development Office. Applications that meet eligibility criteria are then reviewed by the Housing Trust Fund Administrative Committee, which scores and ranks proposals based on established criteria. Final funding decisions are expected by June 26, 2026. Applicants may be contacted for additional information during the review process, and final awards are made at the discretion of the committee. For additional information, applicants may contact the Housing Program Manager at the Community and Economic Development Office via phone or email. The program reflects the city’s long-standing commitment to addressing housing affordability challenges through structured funding mechanisms and strategic investment in community housing initiatives. The fund continues to play a central role in supporting equitable housing development and preserving affordability within the Burlington community.

Prioritize projects that create permanently affordable housing units and serve households below 50 percent AMI; clearly align proposal with city housing and consolidated plans; demonstrate strong financial need and community impact