New low-cost apartment building becomes a reality

By Chris Mays
Brattleboro Reformer
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — A jazzy tune performed by the Butterfly Swing Band wearing hard hats trailed off as a large crowd filled the not-yet-painted community room of the Snow Block to hear about how many collaborations led to Tuesday’s celebration of the new apartment building at 29 Flat St.

The Windham & Windsor Housing Trust named the building for the group’s first and long-time executive director, Connie Snow, who could be seen smiling throughout the event.

“When Connie first envisioned the Snow Block, she didn’t know it was going to be named the Snow Block,” said Elizabeth Bridgewater, the executive director of the housing trust who took over after Snow in January 2018. “It was to fill the need for smaller, low-cost apartments that would attract a variety of people that value living downtown, and seniors were definitely at the forefront of her mind. She also was thinking about young folks getting a starter apartment, young professionals who don’t want responsibilities of home ownership yet, who want to be in the mix of everything. And two years later, our applicant pool is validating the clarity of her vision.”

Bridgewater said 56% of the applicants are older than 65, and their average age is 71. About 33% of the pool are between the ages of 40 and 65, with an average age of 42.

The project also aims to help those who run the risk of becoming homeless or are homeless now. Four apartments will be occupied by clients of Youth Services who will be able to access services on site.

Russell Bradbury-Carlin, executive director of Youth Services, said his group works “with teens and young adults on the margin of our community.” Bridgewater “gets youth,” he added.

Apartments will be available for those with incomes as high as $55,188 for a single person or $63,072 for a two-person household. Others will allow for rental vouchers to make living there affordable.

“As a result, the community that is forming in all the various places and will eventually live here together will reflect the rich diversity of age and income that really makes this town so special,” said Bridgewater.

The targeted completion date is Nov. 18. That is when tenants are scheduled to move in, said Peter Paggi, director of housing development at the housing trust.

State Sen. Becca Balint, D-Windham, said it has taken her about a decade to truly understand the importance of housing.

“Because it gives hope … it’s a safe place, not just physically safe but emotionally safe, psychologically safe, feeling connected to your community,” she said. “I’m so proud to stand before you at this auspicious day when we have an opportunity to welcome people into their homes for new hope, not just for them but the whole community.”

Vermont’s Housing for All Revenue Bond, passed into law in 2017, had been utilized for the project. Balint credited Katie Buckley of Guilford, who previously served as state housing commissioner, with helping to get the bond approved.

“The Snow Block,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a press release, “has met a housing need that continues to grow throughout Vermont. And with both millennials and our aging populations looking to live in walkable communities close to shopping and access to public transportation, having housing they can afford in vibrant downtowns is critical. I’m so pleased our housing bond is making that possible in Brattleboro and in our downtowns across Vermont.”

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board committed $1,538,000 in proceeds from the approximately $37 million state bond for the local project.

The board’s Executive Director Gus Seelig thanked Snow for her leadership and for inspiring those in the field. He said the housing trust had a plan ready to go when funds were made available; other recent developments include Great River Terrace on Putney Road in Brattleboro and Putney Landing in Putney.

The board also secured more than $782,000 from federal funding sources. During what she described as a tense time in Washington, D.C., Bridgewater thanked the Vermont delegation in Congress for their support.

“Every year since our new president has been in office, these line items have been zeroed out in the budget and every year it’s Congress who fights to put them back in,” she said.

Members of the delegation had representatives present letters of appreciation to Snow.

“We were delighted to learn that your outstanding 30-year career at the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust would be deservedly recognized with the naming of a beautiful 23-unit mixed-income apartment building,” U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy wrote, speaking for himself and wife Marcelle Leahy. “Your leadership in creating or preserving 890 homes and apartments is an outstanding testament to your lifetime commitment to affordable housing. Connie, I appreciate all you have done, and I am pleased that your work will be forever remembered in southern Vermont.”

More than $7 million had been raised for the project, including donations and nearly $5 million of Housing Tax Credits administered by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency and purchased by People’s United Bank. The agency’s Executive Director Maura Collins called the project “a home run when it comes to our perspective of what we like to see in creating more affordable housing opportunities in this state.”

“It really is going to be a wonderful place to watch Brattleboro grow and thrive,” she said.

People’s United Bank Vice-President Art Casavant said his group is “thrilled” to support construction debt for the project.

Other funding support came via NeighborWorks America, Efficiency Vermont, and the Windham Regional Commission.

The project’s design and development team includes Stevens & Associates, John F. Penney Consulting Engineers, Dubois & King Inc., Eco Houses of Vermont, and JD Kantor. ReArch Construction managed the construction.