The Burlington City Council met on Monday evening to discuss increasing funding to the city’s Housing Trust Fund. With a vacancy rate of less than 1 percent and soaring home prices, residents are struggling to afford housing. Ward 1 Progressive Carter Neubieser proposed a resolution to double the funding for the Housing Trust Fund by at least $1 million to support affordable housing initiatives.
During public comments, residents and housing advocates expressed their support for the resolution, citing the critical role the trust fund plays in developing affordable housing in the city. Champlain Housing Trust Chief Operating Officer Amy Demetrowitz highlighted the fund’s success in creating over 600 affordable apartments in Burlington.
In addition to the housing discussion, the council also addressed the Reparations Taskforce, which has been inactive due to the pandemic. Chair Pablo Bose recommended reestablishing the task force with a focus on studying the history of slavery in Burlington and exploring reparations.
The council also held a work session on rebuilding the city police department using data-driven methods. City Council President Ben Traverse emphasized the importance of public input in shaping public safety policies.
The council will hold a public information hearing on Wednesday to review the upcoming Town Meeting Day election, including the school budget, revenue bonds, and charter change questions.This article summarizes the Burlington City Council’s recent meeting where they addressed critical issues such as affordable housing, reparations, and police department reform. Residents and advocates voiced their support for increasing funding to the Housing Trust Fund to address the city’s housing crisis. The council also discussed restarting the Reparations Taskforce and rebuilding the police department using data-driven methods. Public input was deemed crucial in shaping public safety policies. A public information hearing will be held to review the upcoming Town Meeting Day election.
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