What is affordable housing?
Vermont’s housing crisis is in the news a lot. But what is affordable housing? Who lives there? How does building more affordable housing benefit our communities? Let’s get to the facts.
Home Is More Than Four Walls And A Roof
Having a home you can afford brings stability and safety. It also impacts just about every other aspect of our lives: food security, access to jobs and a good education, safety, and dignity. When we all have a home we can rely on, the whole community benefits.
Home Is A Human Right
Home values often get brought into the argument against creating more affordable housing, as if the value of a Zillow listing somehow trumps the value of a human life. Housing is an investment, but not merely a financial one. A home is an investment in equity, fairness, and our collective wellbeing. It’s something that every human being needs.
Home Is A Foundation
We all need a home we can afford. Home is the foundation for a meaningful life. It’s a place to rest, recharge, and get respite from the outside world. It’s a place to gather with family and friends. Simply put, a home is stability– the kind of stability that spreads to neighbors, communities, and businesses.
Home Is A Place Like This.
Here are some recent affordable housing developments around Vermont.
Home Is For Everyone
Teachers, childcare providers, nurses, bus drivers, construction professionals, emergency services personnel, retail staff, hospitality workers, restaurant staff - they all need homes they can afford in order to remain part of our local communities in a way that helps us all to prosper.
Home Is Family
Children thrive on stability - knowing they’ll be safe and fed and sheltered and loved. Having a home that parents can afford leads to improved childhood development, better access to schools and healthcare, and everything else a child needs. Parents thrive on stability too - knowing their children are safe, well fed, and happy.
Home Comes In All Shapes And Sizes
Affordable homes are diverse, high-quality, and reflect the character of local communities. Building homes that people can afford doesn’t mean violating local development rules or upending local traditions. We need Vermonters to all work together to overcome the housing crisis and continue our important traditions.
Home Helps The Environment
There’s a natural tension between developing new homes and preserving our environment, but when new homes are built using smart growth principles, the result is a positive effect on sustainability. New construction and renovation projects offer an opportunity to embrace renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, reduce stormwater issues, and reduce carbon footprints to address climate change.
Home Is Equity
Just like everything else in our lives, equity and inclusion start with home. BIPOC community members have experienced discrimination and unfair housing practices for centuries, the effects of which continue to impact generation after generation. Together, we can provide equitable access to safe, healthy homes for all, and foster strong, diverse communities for everyone’s benefit.
Home is Vermont
If we want Vermont to be the shining example of environmental responsibility, human rights, and strong community that we all hope it can be, building more homes that everyone can afford must to be part of the effort. Want to help? Here are some things you can do to start.