Homes for All: State Launches Training Program to Supplement Housing Initiative

February 21st Workshop Kicks Off Series of Program Intros for Vermonters Ready to Build

Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development is launching a new Small-Scale Developer Training Program to help Vermonters build the skills they need to create housing in their own communities. These efforts are part of the state's broader Homes for All initiative, which connects training, technical assistance and ready-to-use housing tools into one coordinated pathway.

Four training workshops are scheduled , from 8:30am-5pm:

• February 21 - Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street
• April 22 - Middlebury Town Hall Theater, 72-76 Merchants Row
• June 22 - Brattleboro, TBD
• September 23 - Lyndon, TBD

Registration remains open and seats are still available for the February 21 session.

Homes for All brings together programs led by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Land Access and Opportunity Board (LAOB) to support more Vermonters in developing small-scale and community housing. Together, these efforts focus on practical, people-centered solutions that help residents navigate financing, permitting, design, and construction barriers to building homes.

"We've already heard from more than 40 Vermonters who own property and want to create housing, and the message is clear: the biggest barrier isn't interest or commitment, it's knowing where to start," said Alex Farrell, Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development. "Homes For All is built to meet that need, giving Vermonters the tools, training, and technical assistance to make their communities a better place to live."

"This program is a strategic, high return investment for our housing ecosystem and infrastructure," said Jaada Longmore from Burlington, who has signed up for the first workshop. "It gives people like me the opportunity to develop financial, technical, and regulatory expertise we need to deliver attractive, safe housing. We need this now to build housing that aligns with the long-term needs of Vermonters."

Growing Local Talent

Along with the Small-Scale Developer Training Program, the state is offering a 6-week online course for people interested in diving deeper into housing development. The Incremental Development Alliance, a national consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs and civic leaders strengthen their neighborhoods, is teaching the courses.

Additionally, the Land Access and Opportunity Board is hosting peer-learning sessions called Small-Scale Developers Community of Practice, which offer in-person and online engagement with fellow developers to continually support Vermonters looking to improve their communities. With support from Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), beginning developers can also receive 1-on-1 technical assistance from a qualified advisor.

DHCD's Homes for All initiative includes the 'Design & Do' Toolkit , the Small-Scale Developer Training Program and 802 Homes , three coordinated programs representing a strategic statewide investment into small-scale housing development. Together, they provide practical pathways for developers of all backgrounds to build skills in project feasibility, financing, design, permitting and delivery.

Get Involved & Sign-Up

Sign-up and learn more at https://accd.vermont.gov/current-initiatives/homesforall

or contact :

Benton Winrich [email protected]

Tay Margison [email protected]

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