Resources
From the Community: Resources on Home, Housing and Belonging in VT
Looking to take a deeper dive into some of the issues and ideas from the Symposium? Here are some resources and starting points, and be sure to visit our exhibit at McCardell Bicentennial Hall as well.
We look forward to seeing you at the Symposium!
The Clifford Exhibit on Home and Housing in Addison County and Beyond
Created by Ellie Cady and Freddi Mitchell
From the State of Vermont
The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) compiled housing data from across the state of Vermont into an organized and interactive website. Users can find and compare information about Vermont’s changing demographics, housing stock, rising rental costs in different Vermont counties.
Issue brief from the Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office that outlines the challenges affordable housing developers face to building affordable housing like rising construction costs and how this drives up the costs of rent in Vermont. Additionally, information about tax credits and other methods that support affordable housing development are detailed. It also includes links to additional resources on Vermont’s housing market.
Resources & Rules - Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
A one stop shop for links related to housing resources. The resources provided serve homeowners and renters as well as developers, service providers, and landlords. The website also provides access to state rules and regulations related to housing.
From Non-Profit Organizations
Homelessness in Addison County - United Way of Addison County
This website details the latest Point-In-Time Count, which provides the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a given night once a year. It also contains information about the Addison County Coalition, a collection of organizations in Addison County that combine their efforts and programs to serve the greatest number of individuals. The website is a great starting point if you are looking to learn more about the services of different nonprofits in the Middlebury area, as well as local data about the state of homelessness.
Data Dashboard - Vermont Futures Project
The Vermont Futures Project has compiled large amounts of data about Vermont’s demographics, housing stock, workforce, and more into detailed interactive graphs that provide an easy-to-understand context of the current state of housing in Vermont. It also is a hub that utilizes this data and the collaboration efforts of many Vermont leaders to brainstorm a variety of solutions for the housing crisis.
Addison Housing Works is a local non-profit organization providing affordable housing to community members in need. The AHW blog provides updates on their organization’s initiatives as well as important news related to housing in the community.
In the News
Locked Out: Vermont’s Housing Crisis - Seven Days VT
Seven days is an independent weekly newspaper covering local Vermont stories. The “Locked Out” series is a series of special reports by Seven Days on the state’s housing crisis. Recent topics include housing equity, the impact of summer flooding, new affordable housing developments, and the state’s emergency shelter program. Last summer, Middlebury student Jack McGuire contributed a piece to the series titled, “Affordable Housing Developer to Buy Barre City Motel” as part of his summer internship at Seven Days.
Housing Accessibility, Affordability and Development in VT - NPR’s 1A with Jenn White
Executive Director of VHFA Maura Collins, Vermont Public and VTDigger, and President and Co-Founder of Evernorth Nancy Owens join NPR’s Jenn White for a panel discussion on the state of accessibility and affordability of housing in Vermont.
Recent Reporting on Home, Housing, and Belonging - The Middlebury Campus
- A home in New York, a job in Vermont by Katrina Schwarz
- First units of new Middlebury affordable housing development expected to alleviate housing burden for staff by Ben Wagner
- Persistent lack of childcare affects college staff as new childcare projects move forward by Mandy Berghala and Emily Hogan
- Senior living community in Middlebury serves Vermont’s aging population, providing variety of care, activities by Edith Mauch
- Rising homelessness in Middlebury spurs community response by Julia Pepper
Community Voices
How Vermont’s Housing Crisis Got So Bad - Professor Gary Winslett
In this Substack piece, Middlebury College professor Gary Winslett shares his story of finding a place to live in Vermont and provides historical context as to why the state is in the situation it is in.
“Living Together” Opinion Series - Addison Independent
The “Living Together” series in the Addison Independent is a series of op-eds by local community members shedding light on the housing crisis facing unhoused community members and the service providers involved in alleviating it.
Testimony to the State House - Bryan Plant of Bristol, VT
Bryan Plant, a resident of Addison County and of Addison Housing Works, testified to the State House on the real life challenges of facing homelessness in Vermont. This pdf is his written testimony.
For Middlebury Students
Privilege & Poverty Academic Cluster - Middlebury College Center for Community Engagement
P&P is a learning community that brings classrooms and communities together to address the causes and consequences of poverty, and cultivate lifelong ethical participation in society. P&P connects learning in the classroom to learning in the community, informed and enriched through our sustained, collaborative relationships with community organizations and coalitions, along with our collaborations with other institutions of higher education. The program puts learning to work to address the causes and consequences of economic inequality. For more information, please contact Jason Duquette-Hoffman (jduquettehoffman@middlebury.edu) or sign-up here for the P&P newsletter.
P&P Community Partners include:
- Atria Collective
- John Graham Housing and Services
- HOPE
- Open Door Clinic
- Charter House Coalition
- Addison Central Teens
- Addison County Public Defender
- Addison County Restorative Justice Services
- Addison Housing Works
Charter House Club - Middlebury College Center for Community Engagement
Charter House Coalition (CHC) is a volunteer-based, community-supported organization that provides shelter, nutritious meals, and friendly faces to those in Middlebury who need assistance. Student volunteers work in service of the CHC mission, including providing meals and warm conversation to those in the Middlebury community. CHC goes beyond simply providing basic needs by fostering a welcoming environment where individuals facing homelessness and food insecurity can find comfort and companionship. This student organization is a great fit for students interested in community service revolving around homelessness and food insecurity. For more information, search “Charter House” on Presence or email chc@middlebury.edu.
MiddVolunteers - Middlebury College Center for Community Engagement
Middlebury Volunteers (MiddVol) is a student-led organization at Middlebury College that provides students with opportunities to engage in diverse volunteer experiences around Addison County. MiddVol partners with local organizations such as the New Community Project in Starksboro and the Congregational Church in Middlebury, offering a range of activities from environmental projects to community suppers. Student volunteers in MiddVol participate in various on- and off-campus events, which are funded by the college to ensure accessibility for all. By engaging in these projects, students develop valuable skills, build meaningful connections, and play an active role in social change. MiddVol is an excellent fit for students interested in community service and seeking to make a positive impact. Participation can leave students feeling fulfilled and empowered by their contributions to the community. For more information, search “MiddVolunteers” on Presence or email middvolunteers@middlebury.edu.
Juntos - Middlebury College Center for Community Engagement
Juntos is a program that supports the migrant community in Addison County to offer essential services– like acquiring English skills and tools that promote independence. Aiming to foster a community where migrants can lead a dignified life through advocacy. Student volunteers connect with migrant workers regularly, offering support and friendship while raising awareness about immigration issues both on campus and nationwide. The program is best suited for students who are passionate about social justice, interested in immigration issues, and eager to engage with the local migrant worker community. Juntos provides training and opportunities for students to make a positive impact while building sustained movements for just living and working conditions. For more information, search “Juntos” on Presence or email juntos@middlebury.edu.
Architecture Table - Middlebury College
Architecture can be an intimidating and exclusive practice. Typically the people who design our towns, campuses, public buildings and homes represent a small minority of the people who actually live in those spaces. We believe in architecture for all and seek to widen the possibilities of architectural work by offering students of diverse backgrounds, identities and academic passions the opportunity to engage architecture as a communal and creative process with real-world consequences. We aim to be the bridge between Middlebury College’s Architectural Studies Program and Middlebury’s greater community. We facilitate bi-weekly meetings in which we discuss what is going on within the department, the greater Middlebury community, and occasionally beyond to national and international contexts. We also work alongside our members to help raise awareness for issues and projects related to architecture and design that they are passionate about. Past projects have ranged from affordable housing to public art to skatepark design. For more information, please contact archtable@middlebury.edu.
Habitat for Humanity - Middlebury College Architectural Studies
Through a partnership with the Addison County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Middlebury College architectural studies students have been able to participate in a class that focuses on the design of highly energy-efficient homes for Habitat families in our community. Watch this video to see the program in action.