ACCT is now accepting applications for Firehouse Apartments! One-, two-, and three-bedroom units are expected to be available beginning September 1, 2023. Rents range from approximately $800-$1200 per month including utilities, depending on the income limit for the apartment. Fifteen of the units are available to households earning less than 50% or 60% of area median income, and five units are targeted to households earning up to 120% of area median income. The development is conveniently located within walking distance of schools, shopping, transit, and all that downtown Bristol has to offer. Updates will be posted on our website at www.addisontrust.org/firehouse.

Construction began in August 2022. Adjacent to the Stoney Hill commercial development, the multifamily neighborhood consists of two duplex buildings and a block of town homes. As of March, the structures are complete, and work has begun on the interiors. Our partners including Evernorth, architect Steve Schenker, and construction manager Naylor and Breen have been working hard to ensure construction progress stays on track for completion in summer 2023.

ACCT is seeking our next Director of Property Management (DPM) to join the senior leadership team and build on the success of our outgoing DPM who led the department for over five years and will be stepping down this summer.

The Director of Property Management (DPM) is responsible for ensuring the successful operation of ACCT's portfolio of permanently affordable housing, which includes approximately 350 rental apartments, 340 lots in nine mobile home parks, and 75 shared equity homes. The DPM is part of the leadership team reporting to the Executive Director, and leads the Property Management Team which includes approximately four direct reports and a total department of 10-15.

Key responsibilities include hiring, training, and coaching staff; developing and ensuring consistent implementation of policies and procedures across property management, regulatory compliance, landlord tenant law, fair housing, and related areas; performance management and monitoring KPIs; overseeing asset management in coordination with housing partners, maintenance, and finance staff; and acting as primary point of contact for effective implementation of ACCT's property management database (Yardi Voyager 7S). The DPM may take on special projects as assigned.

This job is based in Vergennes but requires travel to sites across Addison County, primarily Middlebury, Bristol, Vergennes, and Starksboro. Some work-from-home is also possible. Occasional on-call availability may be required.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree or higher, strong supervisory and management skills, a high degree of proficiency with technology, and prior experience in a management role. Property management, affordable housing, and nonprofit experience are preferred but not required. Experience with trauma-informed practices a plus. Training and professional development opportunities will be provided, and curiosity and a desire to learn new skills are critical. Required attributes include strong problem-solving and analytical skills, good judgment and decision-making, leadership skills, and the ability to think critically and tackle challenges as part of a team. A commitment to our mission of providing safe, quality, affordable housing to low- and moderate-income Vermonters is vital.

To apply, email resume and cover letter to Elise; position open until filled.

ACCT is an equal opportunity employer and committed to advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in housing opportunities and within our organization.

On Monday, Governor Phil Scott announced the launch of a new program to help owners of mobile homes make repairs and improvements. Manufactured housing community owners are also eligible to apply for funding to upgrade lots with new infrastructure and clear away blighted homes. The program will be administered by VSHA.

We need more homes. Of all shapes and sizes, for all of our neighbors.

We sorely lack enough housing that’s affordable, and are at risk of losing some of what we have.
The State of Vermont allocated significant State and Federal resources to construct new homes in the last two years.

We are starting to see the benefits and results of these investments: since the pandemic 2,800 households experiencing homelessness have moved to permanent housing, this year about 1,000 homes will be either completed or under construction. That’s great progress, but without additional resources we won’t come close to solving our communities’ housing needs.

Over the next five years there is a need for 10,000 homes in all of Vermont, with half of these homes need to be deeply affordable for Vermont's essential workers.

This Legislative session presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the State’s housing shortage with available one-time funds, ARPA, or other sources. Prioritizing housing with these resources will benefit future generations.

With an additional $175 million allocated to state agencies such as the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Department of Housing and Community Development, and Vermont Housing Finance Agency, community partners will be able to:

• Develop critically needed apartments across the State;
• Invest in Vermont’s existing housing stock, especially in rural communities;
• Prevent displacement of low-income Vermonters in communities large and small through preservation of existing housing;
• Provide opportunities for homeownership;
• Improve housing for farmworkers;
• Stabilize mobile home parks;
• Repurpose buildings that are underutilized;
• Enhance smart growth and climate friendly building practices and locations; and
• Provide housing and enhance shelter capacity for the most vulnerable Vermonters.

We know there are other needed policy reforms and appropriations for programs to support vulnerable Vermonters. These should go hand-in-hand with continued investment in housing. Collectively, these are investments in the health of our citizens, businesses, economy, and communities.

Endorsed By:

Evernorth
Champlain Housing Trust
Shires Housing
NeighborWorks of Western Vermont
Downstreet Housing & Community Development
Twin Pines Housing Trust
Lamoille Housing Partnership
Housing Trust of Rutland County
Addison County Community Trust
RuralEdge
Cathedral Square
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust

The housing crisis in Vermont continues to make headlines. As the start of the new biennium draws near, state legislators are considering more aggressive reforms to zoning, just cause eviction, and Act 250. Housing is high on the local agenda for Select Boards and City Councils as well.

It's no mystery as to why. With housing costs up a staggering 20% since the start of the pandemic and federal relief starting to run dry, more and more Vermonters are experiencing the crisis first hand. Seniors can't afford to downsize, leading to gridlock in the housing market. The situation is particularly dire for those facing eviction and homelessness, and for Vermonters with disabilities. Solutions have been slow to arrive, with the Burlington Pods delayed until long after frigid winter temps set in. Moving beyond shelter to permanent housing is critical but also a long-term project that will take years to catch up with demand, even as Vermont works to encourage more workers to take up building trades. In the meantime, more Vermonters are turning to Homeshare as a way to bring down their housing costs.

ACCT is working hard to increase the supply of affordable housing, preserve our existing permanently affordable housing stock, and ensure residents have the supports they need to be successful tenants and owners. You can help right here in our own community by donating on Giving Tuesday at bit.ly/GivingRoofsday. Thank you for your support!

ACCT is excited to announce that Summit Properties is generously matching the first $1,500 ACCT raises on Giving Tuesday (11/29/22), or as we like to call it, Giving Roofsday.

This isn't the first time ACCT and Summit have worked together to ensure Addison County residents have access to affordable housing. In 2016, ACCT sponsored a grant application on behalf of Summit to preserve 12 permanently affordable apartments at Sugarwood, which includes vital rental assistance from the Vermont State Housing Authority. We also hope to partner with them on the development of Seminary St Ext. with more affordable, workforce, and middle-income housing. Join us with your gift on Giving Tuesday!

https://www.abundantsun.com/what-we-do/events/

At its September meeting, ACCT's Board of Directors approved a preliminary Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Plan--the first ever for the organization. The plan focuses on four goals for the coming year:

1. Increase organizational capacity for advancing JEDI initiatives
2. Ensure an equitable, inclusive, safe, and supportive environment for both staff, residents, Board members, and other ACCT affiliates.
3. Ensure historically disadvantaged communities have equal access to ACCT resources.
4. Contribute to community efforts to increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in Addison County and across Vermont.
   

The plan outlines several strategies for each goal to pursue over the coming year. These strategies are a first step in the work we must do together to build a more just and inclusive community. The plan will be update as we progress in this work.

Please join Addison County Community Trust (ACCT) and Evernorth

Wednesday, October 26 at 1:30 p.m.
to celebrate the start of construction at
Firehouse Apartments!

We’ll gather across the road in the Bristol Fire Department’s community room.
​When complete, 20 newly-constructed affordable apartments will be open to families in Bristol.
Thanks, and we hope to see you there!