Rutland City Accelerates Housing Development Efforts to Meet 2028 Goals
Rutland City is making strides towards a bold initiative to create 1,000 new housing units by 2028, as outlined by Mayor Mike Doenges over a year ago. Despite only developing around 60 new units this past year, Doenges remains optimistic, attributing the slow start to overcoming bureaucratic challenges. “I think it’s going better than I could have hoped,” he remarked, noting a recent uptick in development in the city.
Key to this effort is the Housing Trust of Rutland County, currently working on multiple projects, including 22 units at East Creek Commons and 30 units on Forest Street. Executive Director Mary Cohen indicated that while they are committed to affordable housing, more private developers need to participate due to financial viability concerns.
The region has seen significant increases in housing costs, with average one-bedroom rentals climbing from $780 in 2019 to $911 in 2023 and median home sales rising from $150,000 to $229,000 over four years. Consequently, about 50% of renter households are considered cost-burdened.
To stimulate further development, Doenges has introduced the Roofs Over Rutland program, which has secured $8 million in low-interest loans for developers. Reduced permitting fees and a new housing guide aim to simplify the process for builders. Additionally, local authorities are considering limits on short-term rentals to bolster long-term housing availability.
Despite the challenges, experts like Devon Neary of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission assert that these efforts lay a critical foundation for future housing growth, especially as the county anticipates needing an additional 7,000 housing units by 2040. The combined strategies signal a proactive approach to addressing Rutland’s housing crisis.
Source
Photo credit vtdigger.org
