This bill (S 317) continues a fossil fuel purchase tax to fund Vermont's Home Weatherization Assistance Program, expanding eligibility to households earning up to 125% of the state median income. It requires the program to prioritize high-energy-use buildings, increase salaries for weatherization staff by 15% annually (2026-2028), and partner with utilities to provide free weatherization services to low-income households. The bill also directs funding toward workforce training programs targeting new recruits, including partnerships with career programs and organizations serving homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals. The tax on heating oil, propane, and other fuels will continue until June 2027, with broader energy taxes ending by 2029.
H.826 creates the Land Access and Opportunity Board (LAOB) to administer a new Land Access and Opportunity Fund, funded partly by cannabis tax revenue. The bill requires the Department of Taxes to submit an annual affordable housing tax report and establishes a Land Security Working Group. It directs the fund to provide down payment assistance for homeownership (including for farmland access), technical support for BIPOC developers, and grants for community-led housing projects like land trusts. The bill directly affects Vermonters facing housing affordability challenges, particularly disadvantaged communities and people with developmental disabilities, by aiming to expand access to land and housing resources.
H 688 reduces eviction timelines and changes procedures for residential rental agreements in Vermont. It shortens required notice periods for landlords (from 14 to 3 days for nonpayment and some breaches), mandates tenants respond to eviction complaints within 5 business days, and eliminates the option to pay partial rent into court. The bill also clarifies that criminal mischief covers leasehold property damage and tightens deadlines for serving writs of possession and handling tenant belongings. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings.
This bill amends Vermont's wetland regulations to streamline residential development in certain wetlands. It authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish "allowed uses" for residential housing projects (including single-family, multiunit, and multifamily housing that's at least 75% residential space) and related utilities, eliminating the need for permits for these specific activities. The bill also requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to issue guidance on avoiding/minimizing wetland impacts and alternatives analysis, while exempting development in unmapped Class II wetlands and their buffers from permitting requirements. It directly affects residential developers seeking to build in designated wetland areas without traditional permitting.
H.756 shortens the notice period landlords must give tenants for termination based on criminal activity, drug use, human trafficking, or violence from 30 days to 7 days. It requires landlords to notify housing authorities within 48 hours when terminating a tenant receiving housing assistance, and to alert law enforcement "as soon as practicable" about suspected human trafficking. The bill also mandates defendants in eviction cases respond to complaints within 5 business days and allows expedited hearings for cases involving suspected criminal activity. Additionally, it increases maximum penalties for human trafficking and drug violations in dwellings to 10 years in prison or $500,000 fines, and creates a landlord assistance program for financial support.
H 839 authorizes transitional housing for unaccompanied homeless youths in Vermont for up to 24 months. The bill directly affects young people experiencing homelessness without family support by providing longer-term housing options. It establishes a specific definition of "transitional housing" that distinguishes it from emergency shelter services. This policy change creates a formal framework for supporting youth stability through extended housing assistance.
H.704 extends and expands Vermont's Tenant Representation Pilot Program, providing free legal representation to eligible tenants facing eviction in Lamoille and Windsor counties. It targets tenants with household income at or below 120% of the state median, rent consuming 30% or more of income, or expenses exceeding income. The program offers full legal representation specifically for eviction cases (not counterclaims) and requires Vermont Legal Aid to report on outcomes, including resolutions through rental assistance programs. Implementation depends on state funding approval for fiscal year 2025.
This bill (S.305) requires Vermont municipalities to allow all housing types, including mobile, modular, and prefabricated homes, in residential zones where conventional housing is permitted - prohibiting bans on these options except for specific safety standards. It also mandates that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) be permitted as a standard use on single-family lots without additional restrictions, ensuring they face the same zoning rules as primary homes. The bill defines "areas served by municipal sewer/water infrastructure" to clarify where new housing can be built, excluding flood zones, industrial areas, and parks without residential growth plans. It includes a minor provision allowing a 20% density bonus for union-labor projects. These changes directly affect local zoning laws, developers, homeowners, and communities seeking to expand housing options.
This bill (S.309) amends Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It prohibits landlords from charging application fees (except for nominal credit checks), caps security deposits at two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for termination (14 days for nonpayment, 30 days for breaches). The bill also creates a confidential "just cause" eviction process and establishes a pilot program through the State Treasurer’s office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, building credit history. These changes directly affect Vermont landlords and tenants in residential rental agreements.
This bill (H.689) requires service providers to adjust financial aid applications for housing, hospital, and surgical care so that only the income of an individual with a disability - not their entire household - is used to determine eligibility and benefit levels. It directly affects Vermont residents with disabilities who apply for these specific types of financial assistance. The key change is modifying how income is calculated during the application process, focusing solely on the applicant's earnings rather than household income. This aims to ensure fairer access to aid by accounting for the individual's personal financial situation.
