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Who We Are

The Regional Affordable Housing Corporation (RAHC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit housing development corporation serving Bennington County and headquartered in Bennington. RAHC's mission is to provide safe, decent and perpetually affordable housing options for limited income residents of Bennington County. RAHC has a staff of eight and an eleven member Board of Trustees consisting of local volunteers.

Who We Serve

RAHC offers rental and homeownership opportunities to residents earning 30% to 100% of median income, depending on family size. Rents targeted to RAHC units are intentionally below market rents so that those of limited income do not pay more than 35% of household income on rent and utilities, which incorporates the definition of "affordable" used by HUD and the State of Vermont. All projects have accessible units, as per the ADA requirement for accessibility, and are lead safe.

What We Do

To achieve its mission, RAHC collaborates with various supporters and allies who span the non-profit, public, and private sectors. In the non-profit arena, RAHC works with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Housing Vermont, and other local non-profits with similar missions. Since 1988, RAHC has successfully employed a multi-faceted approach to community development which continues to enhance Bennington County in the following ways:

• Creating new affordable rental units and homeownership opportunities.
• Promoting a sense of pride in the community by upgrading existing neighborhoods through renovation and restoration of existing housing stock.
• Restoration and reuse of distressed historic buildings and other infill projects to create vibrant downtowns.
• Taxes paid on upgraded properties expand the local tax base.
• Investing in neighborhoods which acts as a catalyst for additional upgrades by other property owners.
• Using energy efficient construction practices, which reduce strain on resources.
• Rehabilitation and operating dollars are spent in the community and on local contractors.

Existing and Future Projects

• RAHC currently owns 225 rental units in Bennington County; 36 units in Manchester, 38 in Arlington, and 151 in the Town of Bennington.
• In 2007, RAHC will be rehabilitating 8 and creating 4 new rental units in downtown Bennington.
• RAHC will facilitate 5 homeownership sales in Bennington and Manchester though the Homeland Program.
• In 2008, RAHC and Housing Vermont will begin construction on a 20 unit senior facility in Stamford.