Need an affordable apartment or know someone who does? There are vacancies in 7 different apartment complexes across the state, according to the Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing.
Chittenden County leaders call for increased production of housing over next 5 years
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.
High rents put Vermont’s housing wage far above average wage or minimum wage
A modest, two-bedroom apartment costs $1,099, according to the annual Out of Reach report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities — without paying more than 30% of income on housing — a household must earn an hourly “housing wage” of $21.13—far more than Vermont’s minimum wage of $9.60 or the average wage among the state’s renters ($11.79).
Collins lends a voice in Essex Junction debate about pace of development
“I want more...” explains VHFA’s Director of Policy and Administration Maura Collins in a recent letter to the editor of the Essex Reporter. Collins is a long-time resident of Essex Junction who felt it was time to share her ideas about future expansion of the Junction’s housing stock and population.
“We see beauty in the new faces, appreciate the increasing diversity of housing types and residents, and want to champion thoughtful growth…. We want more...” writes Collins.
