I was struck by the juxtaposition of articles on housing in Middlebury in the Thursday, Nov. 27, edition of the Independent. Front-page articles focused on problems of homelessness. Page three reports on Middlebury College’s offer to begin selling some of its 70 homes at a 15 percent discount to faculty. The article on sale of Middlebury College owned homes raised the question of whether or not discounted sales would depress housing market prices.
I think that another question should be asked. Did the purchase of 70 homes drive up the cost of homes in the Middlebury market and help to contribute to the unaffordability problem? If so, perhaps Middlebury College could consider donating one or two properties to organizations working with the homeless, rather than subsidizing housing for well-paid staff. It would cost the college far less to donate two homes than to sell 70 homes at a 15 percent discount.
Randy Kritkausky
Whiting