In the past, the federal government was the sole funder of the construction of many affordable housing developments. Today, dedicated affordable housing is usually created using subsidies from multiple sources, including federal, state, and local governments; financial institutions; and charitable foundations. Other dedicated affordable units are created as a result of affordability requirements or incentives established by local or state government.
Rental assistance programs provide subsidies that reduce rents for low-income tenants who meet program eligibility requirements. Generally, households pay rent equal to 30 percent of their incomes, after deductions, while the federal government pays the remainder of rent or rental costs.
In this section, you will find in-depth explanations of fundamental concepts found in the broader housing landscape. Each Topic page includes definitions, examples, case studies, and further reading. Topic pages are outlined so that any type of housing advocate can learn more about these important subjects.
Topics include:
Fair Housing is the right to equal opportunity in housing choice and the right to rent or buy a dwelling free from discrimination.
Residential parking requirements are a key reform identified by recent Vermont studies as a means of improving access to new housing. The cost of required parking spaces increases housing costs and rents. Estimates of the cost of a single parking space range from $5,000-$80,000/space depending on the location of the space (with space in parking structures at the higher end of the cost range).
A housing needs assessment, or an HNA, is a powerful tool in understanding and communicating the housing needs of a community and it's people. The HNA itself can serve as a point-in-time of current housing conditions, useful both in explaining current trends, as well as acting as a reference point in the future. A Housing Needs Assessment frames the housing discussion by posing questions such as:
Housing affordability is based on the relationship between a resident's income and their housing costs. A traditional rule of thumb for determining if housing is affordable is to assess if the total cost of living in the home consumes no more than 30% of the residents' household income.
Municipal (town) plans in Vermont must include: a recommended program for addressing low- and moderate-income persons' housing needs as identified by the regional planning commission pursuant to subdivision 4348(a)(9). Municipalities also must updated their plan at least once every eight years.