Housing consortium
NEK Chamber
Housing consortium
Collaborating to address the Northeast Kingdom’s housing crisis.
Our Goals:
Launched through our leadership in the Let’s Build Homes initiative, the Northeast Kingdom Housing Consortium brings together key stakeholders to tackle one of our region’s most urgent and complex challenges: the severe shortage of affordable and available housing.
With an estimated 4,200 new homes needed across the NEK by 2030, housing lies at the root of many broader challenges—from workforce shortages and rising living costs to economic stagnation and population decline. This consortium unites local banks, major employers, developers, municipal leaders, and housing policy experts to identify shared priorities and forge actionable solutions.
Together, we are working to define a clear path to success—leveraging local insight, state-level expertise, and cross-sector partnerships to unlock funding, reduce barriers, and accelerate development. Our goal is to ensure that the Northeast Kingdom becomes not only a place of opportunity, but also a place where all who work here can afford to live and thrive.
News & Updates:
On July 8th, the Northeast Kingdom Housing Consortium will convene developers, businesses, and community organizations to tackle one of our region’s most pressing challenges: the urgent need for more housing. With over 4,000 homes needed by 2030 to ensure a sustainable future for the NEK, this gathering will focus on identifying the barriers that prevent us from building—and, more importantly, how we can work together to overcome them.
Whether you're in construction, finance, planning, or policy, this meeting is a critical opportunity to be part of a regional movement committed to unlocking housing solutions in our rural communities.
Housing Development Tools
CHIP (Community Housing Infrastructure Program)
Act 181 Summary
Learn More- Streamlined permitting and Act 250 coordination
- Infill development & village-scale project support
- Resources for municipal planners
Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB)
Learn More- Grant programs for affordable and mixed-income housing
- Capacity building funds for nonprofits and developers
USDA Rural Development – Housing Programs
Learn MoreLoans & grants for single-family, multi-family, and site development
Find More Resources Below
Regional & Technical Support:
Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA)
Learn More- Housing needs assessments
- Permitting and infrastructure planning
- Access to local zoning and planning officials
Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT)
Learn More- Housing implementation resources for municipalities
- Municipal policy guidance (zoning, bylaws, etc.)
Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA)
Learn More- Voucher programs and rental assistance
- Landlord support tools
RuralEdge
Learn More- Homeownership and rehab programs
- Community housing partnerships
Funding &
Incentives:
Better Places Program
Learn MoreSmall-scale placemaking grants to make housing areas more livable.
Downtown & Village Center Tax Credits
Learn MoreFor projects in designated areas
New Market Tax Credits
For qualified mixed-use or multifamily developments
TIF & Local Bonding Models
Post-CHIP tools for municipalities and developers.
Workforce, Housing, & Employer Solutions
Let’s Build Homes Coalition
Learn More- Policy leadership, messaging tools, and coalition-building resources
- Regional meeting schedules and engagement tools
Employer-Supported Housing Models
Case studies and templates for manufacturers, hospitals, and schools investing in workforce housing- Coming Soon.
Vermont Department of Labor
Learn More- Workforce-housing alignment grants
- Training incentives to support housing pipeline trades (construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
