Two weeks ago,
a brave group of middle school students took to the stage of the Barre Opera House to demonstrate their civic awareness and show us all the power of participation.
Last Tuesday, it was the adults’ turn to rise to the occasion.
Responding to our call to action, 27 leaders representing nearly 20 different organizations from across a dozen industries gathered at the main office of Community National Bank to participate in a conversation addressing the dire need for solutions to the Northeast Kingdom’s housing crisis.
Reporting by the Let’s Build Homes Coalition puts it bluntly:
“our state has the second-highest homelessness rate in the country. The median home price has soared beyond the reach of working Vermonters. Half of all renters are cost-burdened, and one in four spend more than half of their income on housing.”
Tuesday’s conversation wasn’t just about naming problems; it was about identifying opportunities.
Centered around presentations by Kevin Chu, executive director of the Vermont Futures Project, and Jak Tiano, from Let’s Build Homes, this group was able to find a collective voice and a sense of possibility. It was truly incredible to witness the sense of alignment we were able to achieve across such a diverse group of individuals.
This diversity was critical to the goal of the conversation. We all understand that a lack of housing is one of the greatest setbacks to economic development in the region. The housing shortage impacts all industries equally, impeding business’s abilities to hire employees and reach customers. It’s time now to combine our expertise and find real, tangible solutions we can act on.
What will action look like?
Coming out of this conversation, our goal is to create a centralized understanding of all the housing resources available. This will include funding opportunities and permitting assistance, as well as a census of all uninhabited homes, underutilized buildings, and refurbish-ready spaces. This cohesion will streamline processes for developers, town leaders, and hopeful homeowners alike.
Furthermore, the NEK Chamber will continue
to advocate for the voices of rural communities at the state level. Changes are coming to Vermont regardless of what we do; it’s our responsibility to ensure that those changes are made by us rather than for us.
This is the beginning of a movement greater than just us. We encourage everyone who’s able to join the conversation and participate in whatever capacity possible. It’s our civic responsibility and our duty now, for the future.
