EAST ALBANY – At 18 years old I moved to the Northeast Kingdom and I fell in love. I fell in love with the mountains, the farms, and the lakes. But mostly, I fell in love with the people. In the Northeast Kingdom, people show up for one another. We share backyard garden abundance with one another. We pull a stranger’s car out of a snowbank because it’s the right thing to do.
I found others like me, and we got to work earning our place in this community. We work on farms, in restaurants, and in schools. We feed your families. We care for your children and your grandchildren.
After work, we sit by the lake and talk about our dreams. We dream of buying homes, starting farms, and raising children in the Northeast Kingdom. I’m 26 now, and every time I return to the lake it seems as if there’s one less young person present to talk about their dreams.
“This tent’s been alright for the past six months, but it’s getting cold and I can’t find a place. I’m moving out of state”.
“Does anybody know any rentals near Greensboro? Erich is raising our rent another $1,100 per month, there’s no way we can afford that”.
In 2020 I searched desperately for housing in the NEK during the height of Covid-19. There was nothing on Craigslist or Facebook. I’m not proud to admit this, but I went on Airbnb and I begged. I messaged nearly 100 hosts, “Have you ever considered renting this unit long term?” One person responded, “Of course! You are welcome to book a long term-stay through Airbnb”. It would have been $3,000 per month, and I made $18 an hour.
On 2024 Town Meeting Day in Albany I volunteered to administer a public opinion survey on behalf of a local nonprofit. I talked to Betsy, a retired local. “Question number one: what do you think are the housing needs in Albany?”
Betsy said, “I don’t support government subsidized housing. I think we offer too much help and that everyone should just take care of themselves”.
“Okay Betsy, question number 2: What do you think is a reasonable cost for a family in Albany to spend per month on housing?”
Betsy said, “$500”.
I went home and I laughed in my studio apartment that cost nearly twice as much as $500, and wondered if I’ve fallen in love with a Northeast Kingdom that doesn’t love me back.
Recently, Greensboro residents voted to block the development of affordable housing units in the town hall. The newspaper headline felt like a punch in the gut. I still dream of a future in the Northeast Kingdom, but I fear for our beloved towns such as Greensboro.
I picture an abandoned school house, shutters closed because there are no kids in the neighborhood. I picture half the houses empty for half of the year, no neighbors to pull your car out of the snow bank. I picture canceled dinner plans and a sign on the door of your favorite restaurant that says “Sorry, closed due to staffing”.
Greensboro residents who opposed this project have adopted the slogan “Save Town Hall”. However, without a community of people, a town hall is merely an empty building. Some residents expressed concern that the project was “too big” for Greensboro, despite the design being based on a thorough Housing Needs Assessment. Others raised concerns about septic, despite project developers having designed and pre-approved a septic management plan. At the core of this movement is thinly-veiled classism, and the misguided (perhaps subconscious) desire to keep Greensboro wealthy, white, and elderly.
I am writing on behalf of the next generation of Vermonters, and our dream of a future in the Northeast Kingdom, to say that we bring life into Greensboro. I will continue to fight for my dreams and my future, but to the residents of Greensboro, this battle is on you. What are your dreams for the future of Greensboro?
Liam Crannell is a resident of East Albany
Very well said, Liam.
Very well said and considered. Let’s get real about Vermont and give people a fighting chance to make a life here. We so desperately need affordable housing.