Community Land Trust Annual Meeting a Success, Morlock Receives Award

The Rockingham Area Community Land Trust (RACLT) honored Springfield Housing Authority Executive Director, William F. Morlock III, at the Land Trust’s 19^th Annual Meeting, December 3^rd.  Morlock received the Louise Park Community Service Award for the Housing Authority’s outstanding support and commitment to affordable housing. The award is named for RACLT founder Louise Park of Grafton, Vermont, whose commitment to community continues to be a source of inspiration to RACLT.

William F. Morlock, III, has served as the Executive Director of the Springfield Housing Authority since 1988. He serves on the Board of Housing Vermont; is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association. He also serves on several committees for the Housing Authority Insurance Group. Bill holds a B.S. in Biology from Central Connecticut State University and is working to complete his Masters in Administration at St. Michael’s College in Winooski.

Jeff Staudinger, Executive Director, told the 16 attendees about RACLT’s commitment to the development of housing opportunities for residents of northern Windham and southern Windsor Counties. He outlined major accomplishments during 2007 including completing the construction of two new modular single family homes in Springfield; assisting 61 households to become first-time home-buyers; beginning a $3 million dollar renovation and new construction housing project located in Proctorsville in the Town of Cavendish; and the purchase of Armory Square with renovations to begin late March 2008. Staudinger also announced that RACLT is seeking funding to purchase and improve the Hastings Mobile Home Park in Ascutney.

Rockingham Area Community Land Trust and its partners own over 300 residential apartments in southeastern Vermont. Staudinger believes that residents should be encouraged to develop leadership skills to improve quality-of-life within their communities. This coming year RACLT will empower residents to become leaders through training programs, community events, creation of a tenant association, and tenant newsletters.

The annual meeting ended with the election of Directors to the volunteer governing Board of RACLT. Returning Directors include Donna Allen of Rockingham, Ralph Bidgood of Springfield, Sherry Capen of Springfield, Richard Crocker of Chester, Vin Fusca of Windsor, Steve Geller, SEVCA’s Executive Director and a resident of Springfield, Richard McInerny, Springfield, who directs the homelessness prevention program at the Springfield Family Center and State Representative Kathy Pellett of Chester. Departing from the board is Becky Basch of Springfield who was honored with a plaque for her long-time service to the board.

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About Rockingham Area Community Land Trust
RACLT’s mission is to maximize affordable housing opportunities for the people of southeastern Vermont. RACLT owns 350 apartments and several mobile home lots which are affordable to low and moderate income families. This year, RACLT is developing affordable housing in Windsor, Cavendish, Springfield and Rockingham. RACLT’s NeighborWorks^® HomeOwnership Center of Southeastern Vermont assists over 60 Windsor and Windham county families to become first time homebuyers each year.

For information contact:
Jeff Staudinger
Executive Director
RACLT
Office-802-885-3220 ext. 220