March 24, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Shannon Kennelly, 802-797-8606 or [email protected]
Executive Director of NWWVT receives
Lifetime Achievement Award
West Rutland, VT – Ludy Biddle, the Executive Director of NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (NWWVT) has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA). The NNA recognized Biddle for her long-standing commitment to healthy, safe, efficient, and affordable homes and community development.
Biddle’s powerful leadership has seen NWWVT’s impact grow substantially over the past 15 years.
- With the $4.5 million Department of Energy grant to upgrade homes’ energy efficiency, Rutland County went from 26 retrofits in 2010 to over 1000, saving homeowners more than $1 million per year. 60% of those homeowners have incomes at 120% of Area Median Income or below. Green Mountain Power has granted NWWVT $900,000 to continue and expand the HEAT Squad program statewide.
- Biddle partnered with the RRMC to make “doctor prescribed” physical improvements in the homes of patients with respiratory ailments, slip/trip/fall hazards, and accessibility concerns using $500,000 in hospital funds for grants and loans, thus avoiding triggers, injuries, and monetary burdens accompanying them.
- Biddle joined forces with Project VISION, which has achieved measurable success in addressing crime, and treatment and prevention of substance abuse, and increasing neighborhood civic pride by pairing with NWWVT’s effective vacant housing renovations and blighted housing demolition for parks and community spaces.
- NWWVT’s Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and revolving loan fund have grown from $3 million to $14 million. It now serves all of Vermont, with more than $5 million invested by the Vermont State Treasury and Bank of America.
The Board of Directors of NWWVT submitted an application on behalf of Biddle. When Biddle was informed, she immediately passed on credit to her staff and board, saying, “This award is a reflection of the entire staff and board of NWWVT. It highlights the incredible impact our small and dedicated team has had on our community and on Vermont and hopefully will serve as motivation for us to keep innovating!”
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About National NeighborWorks® Association
National NeighborWorks Association unites housing and community development practitioners to advocate for affordable housing and economic opportunities for individuals, families, communities and neighborhoods throughout the United States.
Contact: Dave Brown, [email protected]
NWWVT is a HomeOwnership Center located in West Rutland, VT and serving Rutland, Addison, and Bennington counties. More information on NWWVT can be found at www.nwwvt.org.
