Thanks to the recent development of a menu of indicators and targets by the Vermont Agency of Human Services and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, describing how Vermonters are doing has become easier.

Many renters within and beyond Vermont's borders struggle to afford a decent, safe place to live. Increasing rents coupled with stagnant or declining incomes have widened the gap between the number of affordable rental units available to lower income households.

Next to job availability, access to affordable housing was ranked the second most important challenge for lower-income communities by New England respondents to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Outlook Survey.

Residents and guests gathered at McKenzie House in Burlington this week to celebrate the project's past 30 years and bright future providing affordable rental housing.