Chester Planning Commission meeting to explore housing problems
The Chester Telegraph | Nov 14, 2022 | Comments 1
Photo by ArtisticOperations. Illustration by Cynthia Prairie.
The Nov. 21 workshop will involve a panel discussion with realtors and builders to get their perspectives on the housing situation and to help shape the ongoing bylaw reform effort.
The news media has written much lately about the housing crisis: Prices are way up, supply is way down. Employers have a hard time recruiting new employees, in part, due to a lack of housing. Short-term rentals take long-term rentals off the market. The Planning Commission wants to hear from realtors about their experience on these important issues. Key questions include: Who are buying properties now? Are locals able to find a home? What types of homes are not available that people are looking for?
The commission also wants to hear from developers about how zoning regulations are working for them and what challenges they pose. As the Planning Commission considers modernizing Chester’s bylaws, specifically for the benefit of streamlining the permitting process for housing, it is important to understand from builders and developers what they might recommend.
Chester residents should attend this meeting to offer ideas and feedback, which are important to keep Chester a happy, healthy and thriving community.
Filed Under: Chester • Chester Planning Commission • Latest News
There is a meeting about housing in Springfield Thursday night, also by Zoom. There might be useful information for those interested in housing in Chester:
Housing Support for All
When: Nov 17, 2022, 6:00 PM
Where: 96 Main Street, Springfield, VT, USA
On November 17 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Springfield Town Hall and via Zoom, the Declaration of Inclusion Implementation Committee will host a special informational meeting on housing. All are invited to attend to learn about the efforts of local and state agencies to address the housing crisis; to discover resources available to property owners and renters, and to ask questions of invited experts.
The meeting will offer Springfield residents the opportunity to hear how local, state, and federal nonprofits and government agencies are working to address the housing crisis and to access resources relevant to their own situations. This is a chance to become better informed about the challenges and opportunities faced by our town in the realm of housing. The committee hopes that tenants, homeowners, landlords, unhoused persons, elected and appointed officials, town staff, and youth come to learn about programs that may be useful to them.
Invited speakers will include representatives from Mt. Ascutney Regional Commission, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity Fair Housing Project, Springfield Housing Authority, Springfield Supported Housing, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, and Windham and Windsor Housing Trust. Topics will include fair housing; grant programs; and informational resources available to renters, homeowners, landlords, and municipalities.
Nondiscriminatory access to decent and affordable housing is a basic requirement for a welcoming and inclusive community. The Inclusion Committee believes that sharing information about existing programs and opportunities in the realm of housing will help the Town of Springfield to live up to the pledge in the town’s 2022 Declaration of Inclusion, which states that “all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, and disability are welcome in Springfield.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83982602149
Meeting ID: 839 8260 2149