[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 176 (Friday, November 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING SARAH CARPENTER OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                  in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 2, 2018

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Sarah Carpenter of 
Burlington, Vermont for her distinguished career in affordable housing 
and her tireless dedication to improving the lives of Vermonters.
  At the end of 2018, Sarah will retire as Executive Director of the 
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) after 20 years of leading that 
organization. Sarah's extraordinary career has created opportunities 
for thousands of Vermonters to achieve their dream of owning a home. 
Since its inception in 1974, VHFA's main goal has been to finance low-
cost and flexible mortgages to individuals seeking affordable housing. 
VHFA has helped over 29,000 Vermonters and their families to purchase 
primary residences. Sarah leads a team of 38 employees that provides 
diverse and innovative services. They finance mortgages, coordinate 
rental housing programs, analyze housing market data, and inform state 
housing policy. During Sarah's tenure, the volume of VHFA mortgages 
provided to Vermonters grew by $1.3 billion.
  Sarah and VHFA's leadership has influence far beyond Vermont's 
borders. In 2000, VHFA successfully campaigned for Congress to increase 
the caps on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and private 
activity bonds. Additionally, she advocated for state tax credit 
programs that supplement the federal funds due to Vermont's dire need 
for a greater supply of affordable rental housing.
  Sarah's contributions to the housing community began long before her 
time at VHFA. From 1983 to 1998, she served as the Executive Director 
of Cathedral Square Corporation, an organization that has become a 
national model in providing service-enriched housing for older adults 
and people with special needs.
  Sarah has also served in leadership roles on numerous boards 
including Leading Age, the National Council of State Housing Agencies, 
the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and Fletcher Allen Healthcare 
(now the University of Vermont Medical Center).
  It comes as no surprise that Sarah has been the recipient of a number 
of awards including the Government Service Award from NeighborWorks 
America and the Vermont YWCA Susan B. Anthony A ward for Woman of the 
Year.
  Sarah is a native of Burlington, Vermont, and a graduate of 
University of Vermont and Harvard University.
  We are in the midst of a housing crisis across this country. Chronic 
homelessness is alarmingly high, people are paying an ever-increasing 
portion of their paychecks on housing, and homeownership is out of 
reach for many. Despite the challenges, Sarah Carpenter and her 
colleagues throughout the state of Vermont have continued to make 
progress through innovative approaches and deep collaboration. Sarah 
has left her mark on the housing community in Vermont and the lives of 
many who have benefited from her good work.
  Mr. Speaker, Sarah's exceptional work on behalf of Vermont 
communities will surely be missed, and I wish her well in her 
retirement.

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