Housing Targets
Across Vermont, Regional Planning Commissions are setting housing targets based on the Vermont Statewide Housing Needs Assessment, a document that looks at the expected need for housing over the next 5-25 years. These housing target goals will help guide where towns plan new development so they can meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s residents.
The potential for future development is based on water and wastewater (sewer) capacity, whether the soil could support a septic system, how close an area is to downtown or village centers, and planned and existing growth areas.
Each city or town will assess if local regulations allow for this future development, and compare it to the goals, actions, and strategies in their Town Plan. (Click on the Towns link to read each municipality’s current town plan.) Meeting housing targets is not a requirement, but towns should be actively working towards them. Most new housing should be built in neighborhoods, village centers, or other areas already planned for growth.