Abundant housing is the cornerstone of an affordable, vibrant and inclusive Vermont. Yet today that vision of our beloved state is at risk as we face an unprecedented housing shortage that threatens not only our economy but the very fabric of our communities.

The statistics are stark: Vermont 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. Yet despite these intense demand pressures, for the past 15 years the state’s growth rate of new, permanent homes has only been about 1/3 the rate of the 1980s. These numbers point to a simple but painful truth: too many Vermonters cannot afford a place to call home.

The housing crisis doesn’t exist in isolation—it ripples through every corner of our state’s social and economic systems. With Vermont’s population aging, the lack of housing exacerbates challenges in health care and education, making these systems increasingly unaffordable and unsustainable. Unless we change course, we face the closing of more rural hospitals and schools, further hollowing out many communities.

Instead, we must step up with impactful solutions that rebuild and reinvigorate our state. Addressing the housing crisis isn’t just about shelter — it’s about creating a larger tax base, bringing more families into our state and children into our schools, and fostering vibrancy and diversity in our towns.

A report by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) last summer highlighted the scale of the challenge: Vermont needs 30,000 new homes by the end of 2029. To achieve this, we must double our housing production rate from the last decade and sustain it. This is a tall order, but it is possible — if we commit to decisive, sustained action.

We’ve seen what’s achievable when we make housing a priority. From 2012 to 2024, Burlington increased its housing production by 400%. This was no accident; it was the result of targeted regulatory changes, quadrupled investment in the local Housing Trust Fund, major infrastructure upgrades, and public-private partnerships like those at CityPlace and Cambrian Rise.

What worked in Burlington can work across Vermont, but it requires a statewide effort. This crisis is not an accident; it is largely the result of decades of overly restrictive land use and development policies that have made it far too difficult to build the homes we need. The HOME Act and Act 250 reforms of last two-years were important steps in the right direction, but that legislation is just a start. In the coming biennium we need bold reforms and investments in three key areas:

Infrastructure Investment: Only a small percentage of Vermont is served by adequate water and sewer infrastructure, and even in those areas, new housing often requires significant upgrades. Expanding this infrastructure is essential, and revenues generated by new housing can fund this investment. However, Vermont’s restrictive and convoluted tax increment financing (TIF) laws make it difficult to direct those revenues back into housing infrastructure. A new Housing Infrastructure Program could transform how Vermont funds the essential upgrades needed to support housing development.

Appeals Reform: Vermont’s current appeals system gives a single individual the power to delay, or even derail, housing projects our communities have planned for and need. This “vetocracy” drives up costs and kills projects before they can get off the ground. Public engagement must happen early in the process, during discussions about growth areas and land use policies. Once those policies are set, property owners and housing developers need the ability to move forward “by right,” without the threat of years of costly delays.

Act 250 Tier Maps that Enable Growth: Last year’s reforms to Act 250 represent a promising step, but the process of drawing tier maps is in early stages, leaving considerable uncertainty about whether the reforms will ultimately significantly expand housing opportunities or simply lead to more of the same. We need to finish the job and ensure that in the future Act 250 supports, rather than hinders, the housing development in established communities and targeted growth areas that Vermont desperately needs.

But policy changes alone won’t be enough. To truly solve this crisis, we must embrace a vision of Vermont’s future that balances our cherished natural beauty with the need for growth and diversity. A Vermont where everyone who wants to live, work, and raise a family here can do so.

There is a movement building to achieve this vision—a Vermont that is bigger, more dynamic, and more inclusive. It will take all of us to make it a reality. To learn more and join the effort, visit letsbuildhomes.org.

Together, we can create a future where everyone has a place to call home.

Miro Weinberger is a former affordable housing developer and mayor of Burlington (2012-2024), and is currently a visiting fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.

MONTPELIER — An independent representative’s campaign for speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives is gaining more traction. 

“As Vermont’s legislative session nears, 21 Democratic, Progressive, and independent lawmakers have pledged support for Rep. Laura Sibilia’s candidacy to become Speaker of the Vermont House,” Lucy Rogers, campaign chief, said in an announcement. “This movement signals a call for change in leadership following significant electoral shifts in November.” 

The election for the speaker is scheduled for Wednesday, the opening day of the next legislative session. Democrat Rep. Jill Krowinski is seeking reelection. 

The announcement follows an article in VTDigger entitled, “A significant number of legislators tell VTDigger they back Laura Sibilia’s bid for speaker of the Vermont House.” She would need at least 75 votes to win and 55 Republicans are entering the House this week, the outlet reported. 

“Our numbers tell us that if the Republicans join their Democratic, independent and Progressive colleagues who are voting for change, I’m going to win,” Sibilia said in a statement. 

VTDigger reported, “That so many members outside the Republican caucus plan to support Sibilia’s bid suggests her support is broader than has been previously reported — and could potentially lead to a close outcome. It also underscores how the GOP caucus, even without a majority of House seats, could well determine the next speaker in what would be an early flex of its increased power.”

Sibilia lives in Dover and represents the Windham-2 district. She joined Legislature in 2014 after defeating incumbent John Moran for the seat. 

On Dec. 27, Sibilia officially notified the secretary of state of her candidacy for speaker of the House. With two candidates, the election is expected to be conducted by secret ballot.

“I believe in a leadership style that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and respect,” Sibilia said in a statement after filing the notice. “This campaign is about creating a culture in the House that is grounded in transparency, fairness and trust — qualities that are essential for us to meet the moment and deliver results for Vermonters.”

Sibilia also expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support and advice she has received throughout her campaign, saying that she’s “inspired by conversations with members from across the political spectrum.”

“Your insights have strengthened my commitment to building a legislature where every member’s expertise and talents are valued,” she said. 

Her campaign emphasizes “transparency, collaboration, and accountability, with a focus on making progress addressing Vermont’s most pressing issues,” according to a news release. 

In a recent newsletter, Sibilia said her nomination for speaker was debated in the House Democratic Caucus in December. She wasn’t present but described appreciating “the courage and thoughtfulness of those who supported me.”

“Ultimately, the caucus chose not to nominate a non-Democrat by a vote of 60-18,” she said. “I respect the Democratic Caucus’ decision but also see the debate as a sign that more legislators are open to the inclusive, coalition-driven leadership I am offering.”

Heading into the next legislative session, Sibilia said she’s “continuing my work to bring people together and make progress for Vermont.”

The US Chamber of Commerce and the American Petroleum Institute – representing the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world – are suing the State of Vermont over its new law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the state’s damage caused by climate change.

The lawsuit, filed last Monday in the US District Court for the District of Vermont, asks a state court to prevent Vermont from enforcing the law passed last year. Vermont became the first state in the country to enact the law after it suffered over $1 billion in damages from catastrophic summer flooding and other extreme weather.

Vermont’s Attorney General’s Office said as of Friday, Jan. 3, they had not been served with the lawsuit.

The lawsuit argues that the U.S. Constitution precludes the act and that the federal Clean Air Act preempts state law. It also claims that the law violates domestic and foreign commerce clauses by discriminating “against the important interest of other states by targeting large energy companies located outside of Vermont.”

The Chamber and the American Petroleum Institute argue that the federal government is already addressing climate change. Because greenhouse gases come from billions of individual sources, they claim it has been impossible to measure “accurately and fairly” the impact of emissions from a particular entity in a specific location over decades.

“For too long, giant fossil fuel companies have knowingly lit the match of climate disruption without being required to do a thing to put out the fire,” Paul Burns, executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, said in a statement. “Finally, maybe for the first time anywhere, Vermont is going to hold the companies most responsible for climate-driven floods, fires and heat waves financially accountable for a fair share of the damages they’ve caused.”

The complaint is an essential legal test as more states consider holding fossil fuels liable for expensive global warming-intensified events like floods, fires, and more. Maryland and Massachusetts are among the states expected to pursue similar legislation, modeled after the federal law known as Superfund, in 2025.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a similar climate bill into law – the Climate Change Superfund Act- on Dec. 26, pointing to the need to fund climate adaptation projects.

Downtown Montpelier, Vermont was under water on Monday, July 10, 2023 caused by the flooding of the Winooski River.
(Photo: John Tully for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Heavy Rains Cause Catastrophic Flooding In Southern Vermont
(Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Flooding is seen in downtown Montpelier, Vermont
(Photo: John Tully for The Washington Post via Getty Images)