CEDO

Buy a Home

The Community & Economic Development Office and Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) have a program to help low and moderate-income homebuyers purchase duplexes in the City. Details and Requirements as follows: 


  • Downpayment awards are typically no interest, deferred payment loans for $10,000.
  • Priority is given to first-time homebuyers.
  • Property located in Old North End, Lakeside, or King Street Neighborhoods. For property eligibility, view a map of the Housing Program Target Neighborhood.
  • The property must be 2, 3, or 4 units.
  • The property must be the primary residence of Borrower.
  • The borrower must secure primary financing from the lender.
  • No tenants can be displaced as a result of the purchase.
  • At the time of the closing, either the Borrower or tenant household income must be no more than 80% of median income for Burlington.
  • Required affordability in the tenant's unit:  Owner cannot increase the rent of the rental unit for 1 year from loan closing and rent cannot increase more than 3% per year for the 4 subsequent years OR rental unit is occupied by a Section 8 tenant for 5 years from loan closing.

Not interested in a multi-unit building? 
Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding homeownership opportunities for residents in Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties. CEDO provides organizational capacity funding to the Champlain Housing Trust (CHT).


Here's how the CHT helps new home buyers: 
 

  • Home Buyer Education - They help customers determine if homeownership is right for them, help them through the process of buying a home step by step, and provide post-purchase support. CHT Home Buyer Orientations are offered on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. All services are explained at that meeting. If a customer decides to work with the CHT, they complete a confidential personal profile. There is a small fee for a credit report and workshop materials. The next step is to attend one of the monthly Home Buyer Workshops. CHT staff and customers work together on a home buying plan. From there, customers can take advantage of all the CHT services and programs listed below. 
     
  • Credit and Budget Counseling - If a customer needs to rebuild his/her credit or would like guidance on budgeting toward buying a home, the CHT offers private, confidential counseling. 
     
  • Financial Assistance - The CHT helps find the most affordable home financing options, which may include help with down payment and closing costs. CHT staff assists with contacting the lender of choice and works with the customer every step of the way. 
     
  • Special Lender Programs - CHT staff guide customers to the resources that help get the most home for their money. 
     
  • Home Maintenance Education - To help new home buyers make the most of their home and keep it in great shape, the CHT offers home maintenance/repair and lawn and garden care workshops led by experts in the field. 
     
  • Home Rehab Planning and Loans - CHT staff arrange a post inspection rehab plan to ensure home buyers have the resources to fix any problems in their new home. 
     
  • Delinquency Intervention - If a customer gets behind in their mortgage payments, CHT staff works to get them back on track and in good standing. 
     

For more information, contact: 

 

Todd Rawlings, Housing Program Manager 
802-652-4209 
trawlings@burlingtonvt.gov