Senator joined by Burlington’s Mayor to mark beginning of construction of new housing and services by nonprofit developers Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth at the site of the former VFW building
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2024
CONTACT: Lisa Patlis, (802) 861-3814
[Burlington, VT] – United States Senator Bernie Sanders headlined a groundbreaking event today in Burlington marking the beginning of construction of 38 permanently affordable apartments, a new Veterans’ Center, and space for Burlington’s Community Justice Center. The Howard Plant VFW Post 782 sold the property to the Champlain Housing Trust this past year.
“I don’t need to tell anyone in Vermont: We are facing an affordable housing crisis across our state and country,” said Sanders. “Too many Vermonters are struggling to put food on the table and afford to pay rent. Too many Vermonters, including the veterans who served this country bravely, are struggling with homelessness. In the richest country in the history of the world, this is a national disgrace. I am proud that I was able to bring these federal funds to this project to strengthen affordable housing and veteran services in Burlington. We have more to do on this issue, but this is a step forward.”
Post Apartments, when complete, will include 38 apartments will be nine set aside for people experiencing homelessness – five of which will be reserved for Veterans. Champlain Housing Trust’s resident services team will support tenants and connect them to other resources in the community. Expected occupancy for the South Winooski Avenue building is the fall of 2025.
“More permanently affordable housing, like the 38 units in this project, is the ultimate solution to our homelessness challenges, and I’m thrilled to see this project get off the ground after years of planning and support for the nonprofit partners by the City,” said Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. “The inclusion of services here, including those provided by Burlington’s Community Justice Center, is another key component that advances the goals of my administration to improve community safety and make the City more affordable and inclusive.”
The Howard Plant VFW Post 782 approached the Champlain Housing Trust and the City three and a half years ago to discuss how to redevelop the property while preserving access to a center for Veterans. That initial vision developed into what was put into action this week. Post Apartments will include eight efficiencies, 26 one-bedroom apartments, and four with two-bedrooms. The VFW and Community Justice Center will occupy a combined 6,800 square feet of space. The building will also be fully-electric and there are plans for solar panels to be installed on the rooftop.
“Redeveloping a small site in the middle of Burlington doesn’t come without it’s challenges,” said Michael Monte, CHT’s CEO. “But the VFW Post 782 had a vision and determination that was contagious. They have been, and will be, a great partner – one that will result in a significant benefit for the community with this housing and services in our downtown.”
The site is next to a gas station and adjacent to where the City is decommissioning an old sewer in a ravine that runs through the neighborhood, leading to significant environmental remediation and additional engineering costs. About $1.6 million in financing through the Brownfields program was dedicated to the site cleanup. The location is ideal: it’s next to the Community Health Center’s Safe Harbor Clinic, across the street from Turning Point of Chittenden County, and a block away from all the amenities that Church Street and downtown has to offer.
“This apartment building is one small but mighty response to the suffering in our community. It will create 38 new homes,” said Nancy Owens, President of Evernorth. “While evidence of the severe housing crisis is all around us, we often face resistance when it comes to acceptance of new neighbors, bigger buildings or zoning reforms that will change the look of our community. We must demand more of ourselves, our state and city governments and advocate for solutions that support everyone. We can house everyone.”
The redevelopment of the property was financed by 20 funding sources adding up to about $24 million (including the commercial space), with $1 million through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Project support secured by Senator Sanders. The City allocated roughly $3 million from various local and federal funding sources, including a $1 million grant award from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. NeighborWorks America made a $365,000 grant.
The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board awarded approximately $9 million from state and federal sources, including $6.9 million from ARPA-State Fiscal Recovery funds, $1.4 million from an appropriation through the State of Vermont’s budget, and $595,000 from the National Housing Trust Fund – a program originally sponsored by Senator Sanders. Federal Tax Credit Equity administered by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and provided by Evernorth’s 481 Fund II contributed by TD Bank, totaled over $6.4 million, and Vermont’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit added another $463,500.
Click on the links below for news coverage of the event:
WCAX: Burlington breaks ground on new affordable housing project at former VFW site
MyChamplainValley.com: Ceremony held as construction begins on affordable housing in Burlington
WPTZ: Burlington breaks ground on new affordable housing on South Winooski Ave
Seven Days: Nonprofits break ground on affordable housing in Burlington
VermontBiz: Former VFW to be housing, community services with assist from Senator Sanders
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Evernorth is a nonprofit organization serving the low- and moderate-income people of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont with affordable housing and community investments. Evernorth has raised and deployed over $1.5B in equity capital for affordable housing and built more than 17,000 affordable homes and apartments for low- and moderate-income people across northern New England. Learn more at www.evernorthUS.org.
