Housing
The median price of primary residences sold in 2005 for the three counties varies from Caledonia County at $125,500 to Orleans County at $115,000 and Essex County at $87,000. These figures have jumped dramatically within the past five years. Over 800 houses were sold in the past year within the three counties.
The median rental price for 2005 for a 2-bedroom house is around $600.
For more detailed information, refer to the Vermont Housing Data, the largest single source for Vermont-related market rate and affordable housing information.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place 2007 A publication of the Vermont Housing Council and the Vermont Housing Awareness Campaign is updated annually to report on Vermont's Housing and Wages.
In general, the State of Vermont is in the midst of a housing shortage, particularly moderate-priced housing. Part of the answer involves building more housing, and doing it in a way that respects our state's character and environment. The Vermont Housing Awareness Campaign has been addressing this major issue. Check this website for information on State and county housing stock and shortages.
NVDA has spearheaded a Homestead Project to create affordable housing in all of Vermont. A unique model will be employed to establish a housing construction business to produce and construct pre-fabricated aesthetically pleasing housing throughout Vermont for low-to-moderate income families. This pilot project is still being formulated and the funding resources and partnerships are being established. Contact Jim Davis for more information.
NVDA has hosted several housing summits in the past few years to address issues such as housing safety, quality of the housing stock, and the role of municipalities.
Several recommendations for improving housing were discussed:
- Focus on the existing housing stock rather than abandoning the old and building new.
- Steer growth toward the existing urban centers where much housing already exists.
- Increase availability of loans/tax incentives/grants for private landlords to make safety improvements and renovations on rentals.
- Encourage both landlords and tenants to work more closely with the VT Labor and Industry Fire Prevention Division to remedy fire and safety issues.
- Improve the fire safety of buildings by making potential buyers of the building aware of safety violations.
- Link the social service programs more effectively with landlords to resolve tenant issues.
- Encourage municipalities to inventory the housing stock in their town (with the help of VT Department of Labor) in order to objectively address substandard housing problems.
Planning and zoning are effective tools for addressing affordable housing issues.
The Town Plan provides direction for future development and facilitates the provision of affordable housing. Vermont Statutes (24 V.S.A. §4382) requires the Town Plan to include a housing element that shall include a recommended program for addressing low and moderate income persons' housing needs as identified by the regional planning commission.
Local zoning can have a significant impact on affordable housing by regulating the type and location of development. Zoning that has large lot sizes, excessive setback requirements, and widespread use of low density zones has the effect of preventing the construction of affordable single-family houses or apartments.
There are several methods of writing zoning that encourages affordable housing development. Builders could be required to include a percentage of affordable units in their development, or pay a fee in lieu of providing affordable units to supplement local funding for housing programs. Other zoning methods are to establish a maximum sales price/rent to be charged in the units and to ensure that the housing remains affordable for a minimum number of years.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact staff at NVDA. We would like to assist you.
Gilman Housing Trust - Serving Caledonia , Essex , and Orleans Counties. Ed Stretch, Executive Director (802) 334-1541.
Northern Community Management Corp. - Serving Caledonia , Essex, and Orleans Counties. Lynn Witter, Executive Director (802) 748-8235.
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
VHFA supports a number of initiatives that address a wide spectrum of housing needs in Vermont. VHFA provides low cost homeownership financing, finances the construction or rehabilitation of affordable apartments, issues bonds and allocates housing tax credits to assist low- and moderate-income Vermonters with the purchase and production of housing. It also assists housing developers and lending partners in providing long-term affordable housing in their communities.
Housing Division, VT Dept of Housing and Community Affairs
Dedicated to the goal of increasing and maintaining safe and affordable housing for all Vermonters.
NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center of Vermont
With six centers in Vermont , provides education, financial assistance, and continuing support for successful homeownership.
VT State Housing Authority
The statewide housing authority which pursues opportunities to make housing more accessible and affordable for Vermonters. Serving more than 7000 families in almost every community, the affordable housing initiatives reach many Vermonters, from senior citizens, young families, those with special needs to residents of mobile home parks.
Elderly and Subsidized Housing
Affordable Housing Online provides the latest and most up-to-date affordable housing data available to the low-income community. Providing a nationwide directory of affordable housing communities with more than 2,000,000 apartments in all 50 States and every major city in the United States.
VT Housing and Conservation Board
An independent, state-supported funding agency providing grants, loans and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations, municipalities and state agencies for the development of perpetually affordable housing and for the conservation of important agricultural land, recreational land, natural areas and historic properties in Vermont.
Housing Vermont
A nonprofit syndication and development company creates permanently affordable rental housing for Vermonters through partnerships with local organizations, public agencies and the private sector.
National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials
NAHRO is the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans, particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. Our members administer HUD programs such as Public Housing, Section 8, CDBG and HOME.
