Building Homes Together was launched yesterday. It is a collaboration of organizations and communities seeking to remedy some of the most pressing challenges in Chittenden County’s housing market.
“The housing shortage in Chittenden County has been well noted with unhealthy vacancy rates and high rents,” added Charlie Baker, Executive Director of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. “Employers can’t find workers, and workers themselves spend more time in commutes and with a higher percentage of their paychecks on housing costs.”
Together over 100 individuals representing local municipalities, institutions, employers, bankers, builders, and others -- including VHFA -- have signed on to support this effort.
VHFA’s Executive Director Sarah Carpenter attended yesterday's kick-off event and said, “It’s exciting to see so many people from our region come together for a unified goal. Solving a complex problem like housing affordability cannot be done through any one action. Only as a coalition focused on infrastructure, planning, processes, construction, wages, and policies can this goal be achieved.”