The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented Darlene Kelly of Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (WWHT) with a Gold Star Award in recognition of her customer service and dedication to helping Vermonters own safe and affordable homes. The agency presents the award to exemplary partners whose work furthers USDA Rural Development’s mission to increase the quality of life in Vermont’s communities.
“Every day, Ms. Kelly works with families to overcome the hurdles that stand in the way of owning a safe, decent and affordable home,” said USDA Rural Development Vermont and New Hampshire State Director Ted Brady. “Her dedication to her clients and her outstanding working relationship with Rural Development’s Housing Program staff make her well deserving of this award.”
Kelly, a Housing Councilor with WWHT, works with first time homebuyers to navigate the challenges of preparing for homeownership. She frequently partners with USDA Rural Development to help her customers utilize Rural Development’s Direct Home Loan program that offers zero down payment, low interest mortgages to income eligible homebuyers. Over her 10 years with WWHT and its predecessor, Kelly has demonstrated her dedication to helping Vermonters across the two counties become homeowners.
“We are delighted that USDA Rural Development has honored Darlene with this award as it affirms her commitment to helping Southeastern Vermonters attain sustainable homeownership,” said Elizabeth Bridgewater, Director of Homeownership for the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. “The energy she brings to helping each client inspires both her co-workers and the new homeowners.”
Brady presented Kelly with the Gold Star Award at a Housing Assistance Council training in Burlington that marked a deepening working relationship between Vermont’s five Neighborworks Homeownership Centers and USDA Rural Development. The training occurred as USDA Rural Development increased the income limits for Vermont households interested in utilizing its housing programs. The change has significantly increased the number of Vermonters eligible for federal assistance through Rural Development’s home purchase and repair programs.
USDA, through its RD mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of $214 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas. For more information on Rural Development visit the Vermont Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov/vt ) or contact USDA RD at (802) 828-6000.