Casey McNeil of Bomoseen and Loralee Tester of Lyndonville, both board members of Let’s Build Homes, share a common goal: addressing the housing shortage in Vermont. Casey, a third-generation store owner in Rutland, and Loralee, the executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, understand the critical role housing plays in fostering thriving, inclusive, and economically strong communities.
The housing crisis in Vermont is palpable, with repercussions felt across the state from St. Johnsbury to Rutland City. Families struggle to find homes that meet their needs and budgets, leading to a decrease in the workforce, businesses grappling with staffing shortages, and an aging population that threatens essential services. Vermont currently ranks fourth in the nation for homelessness, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Decades of stringent state and local regulations have hindered new housing development, driving up costs and pricing out many Vermonters. To combat this crisis, Casey, Loralee, and others have joined Let’s Build Homes, a coalition dedicated to supporting housing growth and development in a nonpartisan manner. This coalition aims to advocate for pro-housing state policies, engage in strategic planning, and shift the narrative to create a Vermont that welcomes growth while preserving its unique character.
Let’s Build Homes has wasted no time in making an impact since its inception. One of their key initiatives involves addressing a critical roadblock to housing development in Vermont: the lack of public infrastructure funding. By proposing legislation that allows future tax revenue from new housing developments to be used upfront for infrastructure, Let’s Build Homes is paving the way for essential progress in housing development.
A recent survey conducted by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns revealed a staggering gap between the funding needed for housing infrastructure and what is currently available. With a $242 million deficit in infrastructure funding for ongoing projects, it is clear that immediate action is required to bridge this gap and facilitate housing development.
The Housing Infrastructure Initiative proposed by Let’s Build Homes offers a promising solution to this challenge, allowing for the upfront funding of infrastructure through future tax revenue. This innovative approach has the potential to unlock opportunities for housing development across Vermont and address the pressing housing shortage.
Looking ahead, Let’s Build Homes is committed to advancing initiatives like the Housing Infrastructure Initiative and welcomes the participation of Vermonters in this movement. By joining forces with hundreds of individuals who share a vision of a stronger, more vibrant, and more affordable Vermont, Let’s Build Homes aims to make a lasting impact on the state’s housing landscape. Visit their website to learn more and be part of the solution to Vermont’s housing crisis.
