Officials from Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Housing Vermont, Champlain Housing Trust, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, the State of Vermont and others cut the ribbon on Blake Commons in Swanton Village yesterday.
The $3.1 million project, on the former site of a meat packing facility, will provide 16 new family apartments next to the Town of Swanton's recreation fields. Ten of the units are already leased, with the first families set to arrive in a couple weeks.
Most of the funding for the project, $1.4 million, came from federal exchange funds through VHFA.
"Blake Commons created 16 sorely needed new affordable apartments," according to Housing Vermont President Nancy Owens, "but it's essential to remember it provides a strong economic benefit to the general community.
"According to the National Association of Home Builders, the construction of Blake Commons created 20 jobs and will sustain five local jobs year after year."
Five of the units are 1-bedroom; 10 are 2-bedroom; and one is a 3-bedroom. Rents for the 2-bedroom apartments are as low as $600 for income-qualifying households — nearly half the region's average 2-bedroom rent.
Designed by Gossen Bachman and constructed by Wright & Morrissey, these energy efficient homes will perform 40% better than similar homes built to the standard energy code.
With solar water heaters, a central high-efficiency gas heating system, and water conserving fixtures, the apartments are green as well as affordable.