Study calls for southern Vermont communities to work together to expand housing

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) - A new study aims to expand housing opportunities in southern Vermont.

The Windham County Regional Commission worked with University of Massachusetts researchers on the “Homes For Us” study to identify sites for potential housing in Londonderry, Jamaica, Weston, and Winhall.

The commission’s Susan Westa says their main goal is to get the four towns to work together to tackle issues of affordability. “There’s a significant number of residents with lower incomes household incomes under $50,000. And then if you look at the market, you iknow the houses that they could afford at that level there not matching up,” she said.

As part of the plan, the commission recommends the four towns upgrade their wastewater systems to address environmental challenges that impact housing including flooding, erosion, and wastewater disposal.

Officials say Londonderry has already taken steps in that direction.

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