Vermont Housing & Conservation Board

Since 1987, creating affordable housing for Vermonters, and

conserving and protecting Vermont's agricultural land, historic

properties, important natural areas and recreational lands

Vermont village showing traditional compact settlement surrounded by agricultural land.

Vermont Statutes AnnotatedTitle 10 Chapter 15

Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund

§ 302. Policy, findings and purpose

1) The dual goals of creating affordable housing for Vermonters, and conserving and protecting Vermont's agricultural land, historic properties, important natural areas and recreational lands are of primary importance to the economic vitality and quality of life of the state.

2) In the best interests of all of its citizens and in order to improve the quality of life for Vermonters and to maintain for the benefit of future generations the essential characteristics of the Vermont countryside, Vermont should encourage and assist in creating affordable housing and in preserving the state's agricultural land, historic properties, important natural areas and recreational lands.

VHCB uses non-regulatory tools to stimulate investment and achieve the dual housing and conservation goals

set forth in its enabling statute.

• 9,800 affordable homes created or preserved

• 378,200 acres conserved

250,000 acres of recreational land and natural areas

500 farms with 128,400 acres of agricultural land

• $230 million in grants over 21 years

• Leveraging $800 million in federal and private funds

INTEGRATING HOUSING AND CONSERVATION GOALS Reframing the dialogue to improve quality of life – both human and wild – and foster economic vitality

REDUCING SPRAWL Focusing development in town and village centers

STRENGTHENING FARM COMMUNITIES Protecting large blocks of farmland

RESTORING HISTORIC LANDMARKS Community assets with public use

Vermont Housing & Conservation Board

Baldwin Block and post office, Wells RiverCommunity development project -- rehabilitation of several buildings with affordable apartments. Keeping the post office in the village center.

REDUCING SPRAWL

• historic downtown locations; infill development• adaptive reuse of existing structures

Conserved farmland in the Champlain Valley

STRENGTHENING FARM COMMUNITIES

The Latchis Hotel and Theater, one of only two Art Deco buildings in Vermont. The Brattleboro Arts Initiative is creating a regional center for the performing arts, bringing theatre, music and dance performances to the complex.

RESTORING HISTORIC LANDMARKS

Wilder Block, Brattleboro Restored following a fire; apartments and office space with retail space on ground floor

RESTORING COMMUNITY ASSETS

Green River Reservoir, Hyde Park and Eden5,113 acres plus the reservoir, conserved by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and the The Nature Conservancy of Vermont. Federal Forest Legacy funds. State park with 28 primitive, remote campsites accessible by canoes and kayaks or small craft with up to 5mph electric motors.

CONSERVING NATURAL AREAS

Cheryl DeVos and son on their farm in Charlotte and Ferrisburgh

MULTI-GOAL -- Historic rehabilitation of 16 family rental apartments, a branch of the local library, and behind the building is a ball field for the Little League.

Sheridan Mountain, Guildhall, Essex County Vermont’s northernmost red oak forest, 66 acres conserved by The Nature Conservancy of Vermont

Kempton Farm, Peacham and Cabot, conserved in 1990.

Single Family Home in Brookline

Black Falls -- acquisition of 3,764 acres with black bear habitat and buffer to 4 miles of the Long Trail, Vermont’s end-to-end hiking trail.

Buttermilk Falls a swimming hole in Ludlow protected by the Vermont River Conservancy

Worcester Village -- the meadow in the foreground was conserved for open space and public recreational use.

Vermont Housing & Conservation Board

PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY/CONSERVATION

• Housing subsidy covenants and conservation easements recorded in the land records require permanent affordability and permanent conservation.

• State investments are captured for long-term community benefit

• The public does not pay twice – once at the beginning and later to buy the property to keep it affordable when use restrictions expire.

• Housing affordability is preserved in appreciating markets and gentrifying neighborhoods

Vermont Housing & ConservationBoard

58 East State St., Montpelier, Vermont

telephone: 802 828-3250

www.vhcb.org