Vermont’s aging housing stock is inadequate, causing low-income households to spend more of their money on housing than they can afford, according to the 2010 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment.
The report was released at a press event this afternoon at the Vermont Statehouse (pictured).
VHFA Executive Director Sarah Carpenter and Policy and Planning Manager Maura Collins spoke at the event.
“Families across Vermont are struggling to pay the bills,” Gov. Jim Douglas said in a released statement. “As legislators return to Montpelier, the focus must be on helping Vermonters rebound from the recession, whether it’s finding a good job or purchasing an affordable home.”
The report estimates the pace of new home construction needs to double to meet demand in coming years and push down prices.
“This report is a wake-up call for policy-makers, reminding them that we must literally re-double our efforts to build more homes for Vermont families,” said Tayt Brooks, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD).
VHFA produced the report under contract for the DEHCD, with financial and technical support from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Vermont Agency for Human Services, and Vermont State Housing Authority.
Maura and VHFA Research Analyst Leslie Black-Plumeau researched and wrote the report.
Read DEHCD's press release about the report, and download the report as PDF files.