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Press Release: Vermont’s Housing Crisis Stimulated by Act 250 Adjustments
December 10, 2024
Vergennes, VT – Developer Peter Kahn has capitalized on recent temporary adjustments to Vermont’s land use law, Act 250, to address the state’s pressing housing shortage. With the launch of the Armory House building in June, all 10 workforce housing apartments were quickly filled, painting a stark picture of the ongoing housing deficit in Vermont.
Initially considering a smaller project to evade Act 250 scrutiny, Kahn adjusted his plans after legislative changes allowed for the construction of 24 apartments without triggering extensive permit requirements. Buoyed by further reforms under Act 181, he is now envisioning a larger 74-unit housing complex near the police station in Vergennes, strategically designed to comply with new exemptions for developments in growth-designated areas.
This trend isn’t unique to Vergennes—across Vermont, developers are responding positively to the new housing exemptions, with numerous projects initiated since the law’s June enactment. These include a nursing home conversion into 40 apartments in Hartford and a new subsidized senior housing project in St. Johnsbury, highlighting the reforms’ broad geographic and scale appeal.
According to Alex Farrell, commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the exemptions are successfully expediting housing projects, many of which may have previously stalled due to the prohibitive costs of permitting. For instance, in Brandon, developers can now convert a former arts center into 24 housing units without an Act 250 permit, making the endeavor more financially viable.
Looking forward, stakeholders anticipate even greater successes in 2025 as developers increasingly leverage these exemptions. However, there are calls for the temporary measures to be made permanent to ensure a sustained path toward alleviating Vermont’s housing crisis. As lawmakers prepare for a new legislative session, key issues remain, particularly concerning the appeals process around local housing development challenges.
With continued legislative support, the trend could signal a brighter future for Vermont’s housing landscape.
Source
Photo credit vtdigger.org
