Legislative Report: Act 181 weakens Addison County towns, farms and affordable housing

Have you heard of Act 181? If not, you should be aware of it — because it could affect you next.

Community members are rolling up their sleeves and diving into work exploring ways to expand housing opportunities and create community gathering spaces in town.

The largest planned neighborhood in Middlebury’s history is projected to expand to 70 housing units by the end of this year.

All New Haven community members are welcomed and encouraged to join the third meeting of the New Haven Comes Together Community Visit process on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the New Haven Town Hall.

Miro Weinberger is now executive chair of Let’s Build Homes, a nonprofit working to address Vermont’s housing deficit.

The Ferrisburgh selectboard made it official on Dec. 16 by adopting an updated town plan that is the product of two years of effort and outreach by the nine members of the Ferrisburgh Planning Commission.

The Middlebury Development Review Board (DRB) has approved a 35-unit, four-story apartment building — that will also host a restaurant — on a 0.71-acre lot near the intersection of Middle Road and Route 7 South.

Middlebury during the next few years will likely see an infusion of more than 200 new housing units.

A big grant and a property transfer moves forward the effort to develop 74 units of workforce housing on a 14.4-acre parcel off North Main Street.

A Bridport citizens group has come up with ideas for boosting the town’s limited housing stock and is working with a local landowner to map a hypothetical new neighborhood.

The Bristol selectboard last month agreed to opt into Tier 1B status for the town’s eligible village area, which is expected to reduce Act 250 permitting requirements.

Proceeds will support AHW’s ongoing efforts to provide and maintain affordable housing throughout Addison County.

Homes First Vermont is building a 527-square-foot, one-story home at the intersection of Seymour Street and Lucius Shaw Lane in Middlebury.

Two funding sources could help the city of Vergennes establish a major workforce housing project off North Main Street in the city’s Northern Gateway District. 

Vermont’s homelessness crisis is getting worse, according to a new report released by the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont.