The House of Representatives just passed a sweeping housing bill to address Vermont’s housing crisis. We are members of the General and Housing Committee, the committee charged with addressing many issues, including improving access to housing that Vermonters can afford. We’ve heard from builders, landlords and tenants, businesses, the chambers of commerce and Vermonters from all walks of life. They all agree: Vermont needs more housing that’s affordable.
The shortage of affordable housing is not just difficult for families and individuals, it is a barrier to the growth and prosperity of our state.
For businesses, schools and municipalities, the lack of housing options makes it increasingly difficult to attract and retain workers.
For those in need, the absence of affordable housing contributes to a homelessness crisis and keeps young people and families from settling in the state.
The housing crisis impacts every corner of our economy and society.
That is why, after extensive testimony, discussion and collaboration, our committee passed an omnibus housing bill, H.479, an act relating to housing, aimed at addressing these challenges.
The bill passed the house with a tri-partisan vote, reflecting broad support across party lines.
It is a comprehensive response to Vermont’s housing emergency, and it outlines concrete steps to build more affordable homes, streamline the building process and ensure that all Vermonters, whether they are renters or homeowners, have access to safe, affordable housing.
One of the key elements of the bill is a reform of the appeals process that often delays housing projects. While it’s important to allow community input, the current system has allowed appeals that halted necessary and critical developments, leaving communities without much-needed homes.
Our bill ensures that challenges to housing projects can only be made when there is clear evidence of personal harm, and when the project violates existing zoning laws. This change will streamline the approval process, ensuring that we can build the homes we need without unnecessary delays.
In addition, the bill addresses a critical need: financing the infrastructure required for housing. From roads to water, sewer, and septic systems, these essential services must be in place before any new housing project can succeed. By tapping into the Vermont Bond Bank, we are providing the needed resources to ensure that these infrastructure needs are met. Having the infrastructure is a critical piece of the foundation for sustainable housing development.
The bill also addresses one of the biggest obstacles to home ownership: affordability. Too many Vermonters are priced out of the housing market. The legislation includes provisions to ensure that new housing developments are accessible to lower- and middle-income families, so more Vermonters can afford to rent or buy their own homes.
In Vermont, mobile homes play a crucial role in providing affordable housing. This bill includes funding to support mobile home parks and owners, while also promoting modular and prefabricated housing solutions that offer cost-effective alternatives for Vermonters. These housing options can help meet the demand for affordable homes while maintaining the quality of life that Vermonters expect.
Additionally, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board will receive significant funding to reduce the cost of housing for low- and middle-income Vermonters. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency will also be better equipped to help landlords rehabilitate older, dilapidated apartments and bring them back into the rental market. These efforts will increase the availability of quality, affordable housing options for renters across the state.
We are proud of H.479; it’s an important step toward addressing the housing crisis in Vermont. This crisis was created over the last several decades, and it is not a challenge that can be solved overnight, but this bill is a bold and comprehensive response that will address the lack of housing in all 14 counties. It addresses the needs of working Vermonters, supports the construction of affordable homes, and creates pathways to home ownership for those who need it most.
We know that this is only the beginning and much work remains to be done, but we believe that this bill represents an important and necessary step in ensuring that all Vermonters have access to the safe, affordable housing they deserve.
The time for action is now, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to make Vermont a more affordable and welcoming state for everyone.
This commentary first appeared in VTDigger, April 11. It is reprinted with permission of the authors. Rep. Marc Mihaly (D-Calais) is chair of the House General and Housing Committee, and Rep. Emilie Krasnow (D-South Burlington) is a ranking member of the House General and Housing Committee.
