27 Jul Bringing Vermont’s Housing Priorities to D.C.
Bringing Vermont’s Housing Priorities to D.C.
By: Pollaidh Major, Director of Policy and Special Projects
Members of the New England Housing Network met in Washington, D.C., in mid-June to discuss federal housing policy and the challenges affecting housing development across the region.
In mid-June, I joined the New England Housing Network in Washington, DC, for a series of meetings with members of Congress, congressional staff, and HUD about federal housing policy and the challenges affecting housing development in Vermont and across the region.
What we discussed
One of the main topics was Build America, Buy America (BABA), and the ways its current requirements are slowing affordable housing projects and driving up costs. We also talked about the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a broad package that includes support for zoning reform, streamlined environmental reviews, and continued investment in programs such as HOME Investment Partnership, Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery, and USDA Rural Development housing.
What we heard
Across these conversations, there was clear interest in making BABA more workable for housing. We urged federal officials to speed up the waiver process, pause the mandate while HUD improves guidance and sourcing information, and raise the de minimis threshold to give projects more flexibility. For Vermont, these policy details have real consequences. They can shape timelines, costs, and whether affordable homes move forward at all.
What’s next
On July 10, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law clearing the way for regulatory reforms to increase housing supply across the country. HUD has released a Request for Information seeking input from developers on the impact of BABA. At the same time, larger housing and budget decisions are still taking shape.
We’ll stay engaged with our regional partners and keep bringing Vermont’s perspective to the table as those conversations continue.
[/vc_column_text]
