BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Affordable housing advocates say their job is getting tougher as they tackle higher demand with fewer resources.
More than 300 people from 35 states and six countries are in Burlington this week as Queen City leaders share some of their success stories.
Conference organizers with the National Community Land Trust Network say though all areas are different, the challenges are the same: a lack of resources, and lack of permanent, affordable housing. They say what's most impressive about Burlington is the range of options available.
"It's the diversity of the portfolio, the condos, co-ops, rentals, home ownership, home buyer education. I mean that's something that across the country we just need to replicate," said Connie Chavez of the National Community Land Trust Network.
Speakers like Mayor Miro Weinberger, D-Burlington, and Champlain Housing Trust CEO Brenda Torpy say there's still plenty of work to be done. Torpy says of the 1,600 apartments available through CHT in the greater Burlington area, none are vacant. She says more housing is needed but more funding to build it is currently unavailable.
