Vermont's Housing Crisis: Economic Policies and Speculation at the Core
Vermont is facing a housing crisis not due to a lack of homes, but because of economic policies that favor investors and speculators over local residents. According to John Bossange and Jerry Ward of Better (not bigger) Vermont, the state's development policies are driven by anticipated population growth and speculative housing needs, which do not account for the long-term costs of infrastructure and municipal services. This approach has led to a situation where companies like BETA Technologies and OnLogic may struggle to attract employees who can afford housing in Vermont. Additionally, the environmental impacts of development, such as building on open fields and disturbing natural habitats, are often overlooked. The commentary highlights that Vermont has a high percentage of unoccupied homes, many owned by investors and part-time residents, suggesting that the issue is more about wealth distribution than a housing shortage. 
