Housing Crisis

Owning a home — the core of the American Dream — is slipping further away for many Vermonters. Housing costs have spiraled out of control while supply remains critically low. We can’t just complain about the problem; we need real solutions that work.

 

It’s easy to say “build more housing,” but recent legislative moves haven’t made that any easier.
We need to expand incentives like Tax Increment Financing (TIF) tools, including programs like CHIP, to attract developers and encourage investment in housing projects — because without developers willing to invest, we won’t increase supply.

 

“Affordable housing” often means different things to different people. For me, it means cheap housing — not luxury finishes, but basic, safe homes that provide shelter. We invest heavily in green energy innovations, so why not back companies building low-cost homes using cutting-edge technologies like 3-D printing? These options can quickly create housing that’s within reach for more families. To make this a reality, we must reform outdated permitting rules like Act 250, which slow down and complicate building projects. At $300,000, the so-called “starter home” is out of reach for many Vermonters.

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Our rental market is shrinking because landlords face too much risk and not enough reward. Many are local small business owners who simply cannot absorb ongoing losses and end up leaving the rental market altogether. Adding to the problem is the rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, which encourage landlords to convert long-term rentals into short-term vacation units. This reduces the already limited housing stock available to Vermonters who need stable, affordable homes.  I do not support rent control, which has been proven to discourage investment and worsen shortages.

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The Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) is a Tax Increment Financing tool designed to help fund housing and infrastructure projects. Serving on the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, I supported CHIP’s broad potential. However, additional restrictions added during the legislative process have limited its impact. I fought to preserve funding for flood remediation within CHIP, a critical need for communities like Barre City, but those provisions were removed before final passage despite my efforts. While CHIP can assist large redevelopment projects like Prospect Heights, it currently doesn’t adequately support homeowners rebuilding after flooding — a missed opportunity for sure.

 

In 2026, I will introduce legislation to strengthen CHIP so it truly serves all Vermonters, especially those recovering from disasters.