At its December 10, 2025 meeting, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) committed $8.4 million in state and federal funding to strengthen Vermont’s communities through affordable housing, conservation of working lands and natural areas, and historic preservation. The Board approved funding to support 49 affordable homes and conserve 1,521.5 acres across Vermont. 

These investments address Vermont’s most urgent needs: expanding and preserving affordable housing in high-demand areas, protecting critical wildlife corridors linking major state forests, conserving prime agricultural land, and preserving historic community spaces. Projects span from the Reconnecting the Greens Initiative in central Vermont to bat habitat protection in the Dorset Ridgeline and flood recovery housing in Lamoille County. 

“These projects show the power of partnership and the essential work that crosses town lines and benefits every Vermonter,” said Gus Seelig, VHCB Executive Director. “We’re not only building housing for today but protecting the land, water, and wildlife habitat that will sustain Vermont’s future.”

 

Summary of Awards 

Lamoille County 

Johnson – McClelland Hall (Downstreet Housing & Community Development and Evernorth) 

 $2,647,209 in VHCB funds and $444,961 in HOME funds were awarded for the adaptive reuse of former classrooms at McClelland Hall into 13 senior apartments and new construction of 12 family apartments. The project consists of 25 rental units total and addresses urgent housing needs in Lamoille County following the 2023 and 2024 floods. The site is located within walking distance to the village of Johnson, the college campus, a general store, a health center, elementary school, and childcare center. 

Morristown – Muddy Moose (Stowe Land Trust) 

 $600,000 in VHCB funds were awarded to conserve 150 acres featuring more than 5 miles of trails, almost 8,000 feet of surface water including over two-thirds of a mile of frontage on the Lamoille River, and 12 acres of floodplain forest along Jacob Creek. The property is identified in Vermont Conservation Design as a priority connectivity block and includes northern hardwood uplands, riparian forest wetlands, and scenic ravines and waterfalls. The conserved area will remain open to the public for non-motorized dispersed recreation including hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hunting. This project is part of a dual-goal initiative that also includes an adjacent 18-acre housing parcel. 

Addison County 

Vergennes – Valley View I (Addison Housing Works) 

 $2,063,063 in VHCB funds were awarded to acquire and preserve Valley View I, a 24-unit affordable senior and disabled housing property originally built in 1981. The acquisition preserves existing affordability through the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract for all 24 units, which will be transferred to Addison Housing Works at acquisition, and ensures long-term housing stability for older and disabled adults in Addison County. 

Addison Housing Works  

 $50,000 was approved as a Project Capacity Grant to support planning around long-term viability of regional affordable housing services. 

Washington County 

Duxbury – Mansfield to Camel’s Hump Wildlife Corridor (Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife) 

 $500,000 in VHCB funds and $16,000 for stewardship were awarded to protect 424 acres linking Camel’s Hump State Park with Mount Mansfield State Forest. This project advances the Reconnecting the Greens Initiative, a collaboration between the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Forests Parks and Recreation, and nonprofit partners Vermont Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and Duxbury Land Trust. The property includes 3,500 feet of frontage on the Winooski River, 64 acres of floodplain, and 20 acres of wetlands, and supports the planned Sharkyville Wildlife Underpass. The site will be open for dispersed nature-based recreation including hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, and walking. 

Bennington County 

Dorset – Mount Aeolus Wildlife Management Area (Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife) 

 $98,500 in VHCB funds and $16,000 for stewardship were awarded to acquire 126 acres of high-priority forest land along the eastern slope of Mount Aeolus. The property is adjacent to the Dorset Batcave on TNC-owned land, which is the longest and largest bat hibernation shelter in New England, supporting 70,000 to 90,000 bats including threatened and endangered species struggling with white-nose syndrome. The property will be open for public recreational access including hunting, fishing, trapping, and hiking. 

Dorset – Emerald Lake State Park Additions (Trust for Public Land) 

 $191,500 in VHCB funds and $16,000 for stewardship were awarded to add 150 acres of forestland across two parcels (one 65-acre parcel and one 85-acre parcel) to the 908-acre Emerald Lake State Park. These additions are part of a broader initiative to conserve over 700 acres along the Dorset ridgeline, which provides important habitat connectivity, is home to uncommon plant species and natural communities, and is critical habitat for several threatened and endangered bat species. 

Grand Isle County 

Alburgh – (Vermont Land Trust) 

 $920,000 in VHCB funds were awarded (including $16,000 for stewardship) to conserve 328.3 acres of prime agricultural land. 

South Hero – Old White Meeting House (Town of South Hero and Preservation Trust of Vermont) 

 $100,000 in VHCB funds and $10,000 for stewardship were awarded to rehabilitate and restore the Old White Meeting House in South Hero. Built in 1816, the Greek Revival-inspired building has served the community as a church, town offices, school, library, firehouse, and venue for public meetings. The project will rehabilitate the historic Meeting House into a year-round multi-purpose community center, with Phase 1 work restoring the building’s exterior and rehabilitating the first-floor layout and finishes. 

Caledonia County 

Greensboro – Long Pond Natural Area Expansion: Miller (The Nature Conservancy) 

 $162,000 in VHCB funds and $16,000 for stewardship were awarded to expand the Long Pond Natural Area by 91.7 acres, protecting additional natural area and habitat. 

Barnet – McIndoe Falls Academy (McIndoe Falls Academy) 

 $100,000 in VHCB funds and $10,000 for stewardship were awarded for the rehabilitation and historic preservation of the McIndoe Falls Academy building, which also houses the town’s post office, ensuring this community anchor remains in the village. 

Chittenden County 

Bolton – Pinneo Forest (Trust for Public Land) 

 $248,000 in VHCB funds and $16,000 for stewardship were awarded to conserve 277.5 acres as part of the Reconnecting the Greens Initiative. This project protects habitat connections across the I-89 corridor and supports the success of the planned Sharkyville Wildlife Underpass.