“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
Affordable Housing (Saturday PM)
Mission: The Affordable Housing group saw three needs that had a
common solution. Dummerston's seniors need an affordable option when they're
ready to downsize from their large homes. Once there, they may develop the
need for supportive services. Finally, young and lower to middle income
families need affordable housing, (and mothers may be looking for work such
as providing support to nearby seniors). All three needs could be well met
through intergenerational affordable housing, facilitated and developed
by an organization like the Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust.
Convenor: Diana Wahle
Next Meeting:
Participants:
Greg Brown Diana Wahle Cindy Jerome Milt Gilmore Kelt Naylor Jack Manix Larry Cassidy David Baxendale Andrew MacFarland Jim Amanna Tonia Wheeler Henry Zachini Elizabeth Catlin Cindy Wilcox
Existing Initiatives?
No existing initiatives in town
*Regional Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust – our first pursuit
Regionally Habitat for Humanity
Burlington: model for co-housing
An idea to consider: New Housing/Dummerston Rehab Fund – perhaps this is the existing rehab fund shared with Newfane that Jack Manix is involved with?
Potential Obstacles?
Available sites
Cost of land
No municipal utilities
Public opinion
Lack of private developers
Leadership?
There were many leaders from the Town Selectboard and Planning
Commission in our group, plus others who had expertise in housing. All
seemed interested in working on the creation of a Housing Advisory Committee
for Dummerston.
Cindy Wilcox said she would represent the Windham Regional Commission as we proceed.
Some community members couldn’t join us but want to be involved in the future: Richard Epstein, Henry Zachini, Tonia Wheeler, John Wilcox. Also, Hollis Burbank-Hammerlund is on staff at BACLT and should be contacted.
Resources Needed?
Material from the Windham Regional Commission on the development
of a housing advisory committee
Information from Ellis Derrig regarding his property off Route 5 between Schoolhouse Rd. and the KOA
Action Steps?
Survey townsfolk, especially elders regarding their interest in
alternative housing.
Invite Connie Snow (Exec. Director, Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust) to the first meeting of the Housing Advisory Committee.
Meet with the Dummerston Planning Commission
Timeline
Meeting with Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust – hopefully
in May.
Meeting time needs to be set with Dummerston Planning Commission
First Step
Diana will ask Connie Snow when she is available to meet.