Land Access and Opportunity Board

The Land Access and Opportunity Board ("the Board") was created under Section 22 of Act 182 of 2022 to engage with Vermont organizations working on housing equity and land access "to recommend new opportunities and improve access to woodlands, farmland, and land and home ownership for Vermonters from historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities who continue to face barriers to land and home ownership." 

On February 15, 2023, the Land Access and Opportunity Board (LAOB) delivered a “Sunrise Report” to the Vermont General Assembly addressing legal, constitutional, and governance questions relevant to the functions of the Board, including grant making and how to fund, organize, and structure the Board as a permanent instrumentality of the State of Vermont. Initial funding for the Board is limited to meetings in SFY2023 for the purpose of delivering the Sunrise Report and any subsequent engagement with the General Assembly and other stakeholders. 

Under the Act, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board ("VHCB") is directed to provide administrative and fiscal support to the Land Access and Opportunity Board. 

Upcoming Board Meetings:
Monday, September 18, 2023 from 5:30 -  7:00 - Agenda

Zoom Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86451326173

Meeting ID: 864 5132 6173
+16469313860,,86451326173# US
+16465588656,,86451326173# US (New York)

Previous Agendas & Minutes

July 25, 2022 - Agenda - Minutes  
August 8, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes - Recording
August 22, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes
September 8, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes
September 19, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes
October 3, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes
October 17, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes
November 7, 2022 -  Agenda - Minutes - Recording
November 21, 2022 - Agenda - Minutes - Recording
December 5, 2022 - Agenda - Minutes - Recording
December 19, 2022 - Agenda - Minutes - Recording
January 9, 2023 - Agenda - Recording - Minutes
January 23, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
February 6, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
February 27, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
March 6, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
March 20, 5:30-7:00 p.m. - Agenda - Minutes
April 3, 2023, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Agenda - Minutes
April 17, 2023, 5:30-7:00 p.m.- Agenda - Minutes
May 1, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
May 15, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
May 22, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
June 5, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
June 26, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
July 10, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
July 25, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
August 7, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
August 21, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
August 28, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
September 14, 2023 - Agenda 

Upcoming Sub-Committee Meetings:

Hiring Sub-Committee:
September 19, 2023 - 9:30 - 10:30 - Agenda
September 21, 2023 - 5:00 - 6:00 PM - Agenda  - Zoom Link (only for 9/21): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89313275749
September 26, 2023 - 9:30 - 10:30 - Agenda to follow

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83053232365
Meeting ID: 830 5323 2365

Advisory Powers & Advocacy Sub-Committee:
September 19, 2023 from 11:00 - 12:00 

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84487600423
Meeting ID: 844 8760 0423
+16469313860,,84487600423# US

Previous Sub-Committee Minutes & Agendas

Advisory Powers & Advocacy

June 4, 2023 - Minutes
June 12, 2023 - Minutes 
June 29, 2023 -  Minutes
July 18, 2023 - Minutes
August 1, 2023 - Minutes
August 8, 2023 - Minutes
August 15, 2023 - Minutes
August 22, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
September 5, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes

MOU Working Group 

June 1, 2023 - Minutes
June 21, 2023 - Minutes

Hiring Sub-Committee

June 6, 2023 - Minutes 
June 13, 2023 - Minutes 
June 20, 2023 - Minutes
July 7, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
July 11, 2023 - Agenda -Minutes
July 20, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
July 26, 2023  - Minutes 
August 1, 2023 - Minutes
August 3, 2023 - Minutes
August 8, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
August 15, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
August 22, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
August 29, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
September 5, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes
September 12, 2023 - Agenda - Minutes

Board Members:
Xusana Davis, State Office of Racial Equity
Dan Coutu; Rich Holschuh (alternate), Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs 
Britaney Watson, Vermont branches of the NAACP
Pastor Arnold Thomas, Reverend Mark Hughes (alternate), Vermont Racial Justice Alliance    
Shingai Kagunda, Kenya Lazuli (alternate), Vermont Every Town Project  
Brian Cina; Ashley Devereaux (alternate); National Association of Social Workers, Vermont
Raheemah Madany, Pride Center of Vermont    
Pacifique Nsengiyumva, Laurie Stavrand (alternate) U.S. Committee for Refugees &  Immigrants, Vermont   
Susan Aranoff, Kirsten Murphy (Alternate), Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council  
Samantha Langevin, Jennifer Morton-Dow (alternate), Vermont RELEAF Collective
Walt Wade, Vermont Psychiatric Survivors

Resources

Land Access and Opportunity Board Initial Report to General Assembly 2/15/2023
Land Access and Opportunity Board Terms of Reference, amended 1/17/2023
Land Access and Opportunity Board - Priority Objectives (working draft) 11/21/2022
New Programs Aim to Change Vermont’s Dismal BIPOC Homeownership Rates, Seven Days, 11/30/2022, by Courtney Lamdin