Burlington Housing Authority cut its voucher program in 2024

The Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) reduced the number of rental vouchers it administers, meaning fewer households can receive housing information through the program. The cuts affected both new voucher issuance and renewals for some existing holders. This happened because BHA's federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) did not increase to match inflation and rising rents, while the cost to subsidize each voucher climbed.

If you currently hold a BHA voucher, your status depends on when your lease renewal date falls and whether you were in the group selected for continued funding. If you are on the waitlist or were denied renewal, you have other options — but they require knowing where to look and what programs exist in the Burlington area.

Key Takeaways

  • BHA reduced voucher funding in 2024, affecting both new issuance and some lease renewals for current holders.
  • Current voucher holders should contact BHA directly to confirm whether your renewal will be funded or if you need to find alternative housing information.
  • If your voucher was not renewed, Burlington's Emergency Rental information program and the Vermont Housing Finance Agency may offer other paths to affordable housing.
  • The BHA waitlist remains open, but new vouchers are not being issued; you can stay on the list in case funding changes.
  • Local nonprofits like Burlington Community Services and the Champlain Housing Trust administer other rental information programs that do not require a voucher.

Who was affected by the BHA voucher cuts

BHA prioritized keeping vouchers active for households already using them, but the program had to reduce the total number of vouchers in circulation. This meant some lease renewals were not funded, and new voucher issuance stopped. The households most affected were those whose lease renewal dates fell during the funding reduction period and those waiting for a new voucher to be issued.

If you held a voucher before the cuts, BHA should have notified you directly about your renewal status. If you did not receive written notice, contact BHA's main office at (802) 861-4500 to ask whether your voucher will be renewed when your lease term ends. Do not assume your renewal is automatic — the program is no longer operating on that basis.

How to find out your voucher status

Call the Burlington Housing Authority at (802) 861-4500 and ask to speak with someone in the voucher program. Have your lease renewal date and current address ready. They will tell you whether your voucher will be renewed, when the renewal decision takes effect, and what happens if it is not funded.

If you are on the BHA waitlist, you can also call to confirm you remain on it. The waitlist is still open, meaning you can stay listed even though new vouchers are not being issued right now. If BHA receives additional federal funding in the future, waitlist positions may move forward.

What to do if your voucher was not renewed

If BHA told you your voucher will not be renewed, you have several options. First, contact the Vermont 211 service by calling 2-1-1 or visiting vermont211.org. They maintain a current list of rental information programs across Chittenden County and can tell you which ones are currently accepting new requests. Programs change their status frequently — some close when funding runs out, others reopen — so 211 has the most up-to-date information.

Second, look into Burlington's Emergency Rental information program, which is run by the city's Community Development Office. This program covers back rent and sometimes future rent for households facing hardship. It does not require you to have a voucher. You will need proof of income, a signed lease, and documentation of the hardship (job loss, medical emergency, reduced hours). The program pays landlords directly.

Third, contact the Champlain Housing Trust at (802) 862-5759. They administer several rental information and affordable housing programs in the Burlington area that operate separately from BHA. They also maintain affordable rental units directly, and some may have openings.

Other rental information programs in Burlington

Burlington Community Services runs a rental information fund for households with income below 60 percent of the area median income. Call (802) 864-7281 to ask whether the fund is currently open and what documents you need. Like most local programs, this one can run out of money and reopen later in the year.

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) offers down payment information and some rental subsidy programs for low-income households. Their programs are different from BHA vouchers — they typically work through private landlords rather than public housing — but they may help you find affordable housing. Visit vhfa.org or call (802) 828-3295 to learn which programs you may be able to use.

If you have a disability, the Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation may fund housing information as part of a broader employment plan. Call (802) 241-2186 to ask whether you are may be able to access. If you are over 60, contact the Champlain Valley Office on Aging at (802) 865-0554 — they have a small rental information fund for seniors.

Why BHA had to cut vouchers

The federal government sets the payment standard for each voucher — the maximum amount BHA can pay toward a household's rent. That amount is supposed to reflect local market rents, but it does not adjust automatically every year. Meanwhile, actual rents in Burlington have risen faster than the payment standard, which means BHA has to spend more of its total budget to keep each voucher active.

BHA's total federal funding from HUD has not increased enough to cover both the higher per-voucher cost and the same number of vouchers. Rather than let the program run out of money mid-year, BHA reduced the number of active vouchers. This is a common problem across the country — many housing authorities have made similar cuts in recent years.

The cuts do not mean BHA is closing. The program continues to administer the vouchers it kept active and to maintain the waitlist. If federal funding increases or if the payment standard is adjusted upward, BHA may be able to issue new vouchers or renew ones that were not funded.

Staying on the BHA waitlist

If you are on the BHA waitlist and your voucher was not issued because of the cuts, you should remain on the list. Waitlist positions do not expire automatically, but BHA may require you to confirm your interest periodically. Call (802) 861-4500 every six months to confirm you are still on the list and to update your contact information if it has changed.

Being on the waitlist does not may provide you will receive a voucher, but it keeps your place in line if the program's funding situation improves. Some housing authorities have been able to reopen voucher issuance after securing additional federal funds or after existing voucher holders move out of the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal if my voucher renewal was denied?

BHA should have provided information about your appeal rights in the notice of non-renewal. Call (802) 861-4500 and ask what the appeal process is and what important date you have to file. Appeals are usually decided within 30 days, but the timeline varies depending on the reason for the denial.

If I lose my voucher, can I use it again later if BHA gets more funding?

No. Once a voucher is not renewed, it is returned to BHA's pool. You would need to reapply through the waitlist if new vouchers become available. Your previous time on the waitlist does not carry forward, so you would start as a new applicant.

Does losing a BHA voucher affect my credit or rental history?

No. A voucher non-renewal is a funding decision by the housing authority, not an eviction or lease violation. It should not appear on your credit report or rental history. If you are concerned, you can ask BHA for a letter stating that the non-renewal was due to program funding cuts, not tenant conduct.

What if I cannot find another rental information program that is open?

Call Vermont 211 again and ask about programs in neighboring towns — Winooski, South Burlington, and Colchester all have their own information funds. You can also ask 211 about state-level programs or whether any programs have reopened since you last checked. Programs change status frequently, so checking back every few weeks is worth doing.

Can I move to a different city and use a BHA voucher there?

If you still have an active BHA voucher, you may be able to port it to another housing authority through a process called portability. Call BHA and ask whether your voucher can be ported and to which housing authorities. Not all moves are allowed, and the receiving authority must have funding available. If your voucher was not renewed, portability is not an option.