RACLT

Rockingham Area Community Land Trust Holds Annual Meeting
Celebrates Year of Accomplishments

Rockingham Area Community Land Trust (RACLT) celebrates a year of developing and preserving affordable housing at its annual meeting on Wednesday December 9 at 6:00 PM at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 44 Main Street in Windsor. The meeting is open to the public and refreshments will be provided.

Rockingham Area Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization with its office in Springfield, has developed 425 affordable apartments, mobile home lots, and single-family homes in Windsor County and northern Windham County.

A highlight of the annual meeting is to introduce Martin Hahn as the Land Trust’s interim executive director. Hahn will lead the organization for the next 9-12 months through a national search for a permanent executive director.

According to board president Richard Crocker, Hahn has the experience and skills to see the Rockingham Area Community Land Trust through the transition. “Martin has valuable experience with the programs we offer and with the operation of organizations of comparable size,” Crocker said. Previously Hahn was the executive director of the Central Vermont Community Land Trust based in Barre as well as the director of a community land trust in North Carolina. Most recently, Hahn was the executive director of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier.

At the annual meeting the RACLT board of directors will present the Louise Park Community Service Award to Donna Allen. Ms. Allen served on the RACLT board for nine years, including a term as the organization’s president. According to Crocker, “Donna Allen gave life to our vision to be a community-led organization. She built many strong partnerships with community residents.” The award is named in honor of RACLT’s founder, Louise Park of Grafton.

Major accomplishments in the last year include the rehabilitation of 28 apartments in Bellows Falls and the rehabilitation of 58 affordable rental apartments in Windsor at the Union Square Apartments (former Armory Square Apartments).

RACLT was recognized by Smart Growth Vermont and Efficiency Vermont for its redevelopment role in the Proctorsville Green Project. The project created multi-use residential and commercial spaces in the existing Pollard Block and the construction of highly energy efficient townhouses for homebuyers. “The amount of energy savings generated by these extremely efficient homes is incredible. They truly make homeownership affordable.” said Crocker.

RACLT’s NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center of Southeastern Vermont has been very active in helping families deal with mortgage delinquency and avoid foreclosure.

More information on the organization and the annual meeting is available from RACLT at (802) 885-3220 extension 210 and at their web site, www.raclt.org.

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