Vermont has been experiencing a housing crisis for decades. A healthy rental vacancy rate for a community is typically 4-5%, while throughout Vermont that percentage currently hovers around 1%. It was low prior to the pandemic, but the influx of new residents from urban centers has driven the rate effectively to 0%. Vermont’s shortage of housing at all levels, but especially for families with low and moderate incomes, affects us all. 

​

An adequate supply of stable, affordable, good quality homes close to job centers ensures a diverse workforce for employers, cuts down on missed work time due to travel and health-related obstacles, helps reduce traffic and car-related emissions, and improves learning outcomes for children – the workforce of the future.  In addition, stable housing is a major determinant of one’s health, and thousands of our fellow Vermonters are struggling to afford a place to live. The cost to produce housing has escalated, putting the price of housing beyond what most low-wage earners can afford. And the for profit development sector cannot create housing at a price that is affordable for low and moderate-income families, leaving this work to nonprofit organizations that can access state and federal funding in exchange for charging below market rates.