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</head><body><p>Useful update on the 'housing bill that you may be interested in , somewhat hopeful , but somewhat disappointing. Thanking Ann Cummings would be a good idea. Harris. <br></p><blockquote type="cite"><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif] -->---------- Original Message ----------<br>From: Kara Casey <kara@vtnetwork.org><br>To: 'Wendy Morgan' <WMorgan@vtlegalaid.org>, American Academy of Pediatrics-Vt <swinters@vtmd.org>, Ari Kisler <akisler@wcysb.org>, auburn@vtnetwork.org, Avery- COTS <averyl@cotsonline.org>, "Ballantyne, Hedi" <hedi.ballantyne@gmail.com>, Beth Ann Maier <kidmd@hotmail.com>, 'Brooke Jenkins' <bjenkins@goodsamaritanhaven.org>, Capstone <dhoxworth@capstonevt.org>, Cathedral Square <fitzgerald@cathedralsquare.org>, Chris Donnelly <Chris.Donnelly@champlainhousingtrust.org>, CVOEO <jdemers@cvoeo.org>, Darah Kehnemuyi <darahk1@yahoo.com>, Darlene Fury <dfurey@naswvt.org>, Downstreet <epeltier@downstreet.org>, Earl Kooperkamp <ekooperkamp@gmail.com>, Early Child Yrs Dev Center <juliebrigante@yahoo.com>, 'Erhard Mahnke' <erhardm@vtaffordablehousing.org>, Family Center-NCSS <danielle.lindley@ncssinc.org>, Ginnie Humphreys <verghum@yahoo.com>, Harris Webster <hewebster@comcast.net>, HPC <deborah@hpcvt.org>, HSN <cgoodwin@homesharenow.org>, Josh- Groundworks <jdavis@groundworksvt.org>, Julie Payne <jepayne@cjnvt.org>, Kelly Ault <kelly@vteca.org>, Kim Kie <pastorkimkie@gmail.com>, Lindsay D <lindsay@mainstreetalliance.org>, Margaret.Bozik@champlainhousingtrust.org, Marty Roberts <mroberts73@comcast.net>, Matt Levin <matt@vteca.org>, Melinda Moulton <melinda@mainstreetlanding.com>, 'Melissa Battah' <melissa@viavt.org>, "'Mendl, MaryEllen'" <maryellen@unitedwaysvt.org>, "Michelle, Fay" <mfay@voicesforvtkids.org>, NEKYS <connie@nekys.org>, Pathways Vt <hilary@pathwaysvermont.org>, "Rev. Carl Hilton-VanOsdall" <fpcbarrepastor@gmail.com>, Rita Markley <RitaM@CotsOnline.org>, RuralEdge <trishai@ruraledge.org>, Rutland Mental Health Svs <kmayo@rmhsccn.org>, Samaritan House <joe.leclair@samaritan-house.com>, Sandy Paritz <SParitz@vtlegalaid.org>, Sara K-Upper Valley Haven <sarak@uppervalleyhaven.org>, Scott Murray <scott.murray@use.salvationarmy.org>, SEVCA-Steve <sgeller@sevca.org>, Spectrum <mredmond@spectrumvt.org>, VSHA <Richard@VSHA.org>, Vt Elders <Gini@vermontelders.org>, Vt Family Network <pam.mccarthy@vtfn.org>, Vt Low income Advocacy Council <kmlafayette@aol.com>, Vt Mental Health Counselors Association <bnielsen510@hotmail.com>, Vt Retired Teachers <deliduka.L@gmail.com>, Vt-NEA <mallen@vtnea.org>, Westgate Housing <jhoover@westgatehousing.org>, Youth Svs Inc <russell.bradburycarlin@youthservicesinc.org><br>Date: March 28, 2017 at 5:09 PM<br>Subject: Occupancy Fee updates<br><br><div class="ox-9847519e5e-WordSection1"><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Hi All,</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Most of you have probably seen the occupancy fee in the news quite a lot lately. A small group of us got together to discuss what has been going on and to talk strategy moving forward. Apologies in advance for the lengthy email!</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Here is a rundown of where we are now: The Senate Finance Committee speedily passed S.100 (A bill that contains all of the Governor’s Housing related priorities) with the addition of S.99 (a bill related to TIF) and the occupancy fee. This version of the bill would impose a $2 occupancy surcharge (revenue now estimated at $7.2mill) with $2.5 mill of the revenue going toward VHFA to fund a $35 million housing bond for VHCB and all additional revenue going toward lake clean up.</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Senate Finance is still hearing testimony and working through the occupancy fee part of the bill. The bill was in Senate appropriations this afternoon where they wanted to wait on Senate Finance to work through any amendments they may have. It is estimated that the bill as it is would have enough votes to pass in the Senate.</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> <br></p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Obviously, the bill as it is does not contain vital supports for the lowest income and most vulnerable Vermonters (to fund subsidy and services). We feel as though there may be room when the bill comes over to the House to have conversations about putting some of the revenue back toward housing related services and subsidy.</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">We are getting from the Senate administration that we should take this as a win and hold off on calls and emails (they have been supportive of the occupancy fee and have done some work behind the scenes to make this a priority). We at the Vt Network will continue to talk, in our advocacy, about the importance of subsidy and services in order to be able to house survivors with the highest needs and lowest incomes.</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">We also talked today about where we were flexible in terms of the bill. There has been talk of turning it from a $2 charge to a percentage charge (for ease of administration), we saw no issues with this. There is also talk of exempting campgrounds since they are cheap, are used by a lot of Vermonters and homeless folks may take refuge in campgrounds during the warm months- We were also ok with this change, if they choose to make it.</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Thanks,</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Kara</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Kara Casey</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Economic Justice & Housing Specialist</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">P.O. Box 405</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">Montpelier VT 05601</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal">(802) 223-1302 x105</p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"><em>“Our purpose is to create a world free of oppression where actions, beliefs, and systems support all people to thrive.”</em></p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p><p class="ox-9847519e5e-MsoNormal"> </p></div></blockquote></body></html>