Most towns in Vermont are facing a severe housing shortage. But Montpelier has something others don’t: a surplus of underutilized state-owned property.
Two state representatives have introduced a bill to take inventory of state buildings and land suitable for conversion into affordable housing.
“We need hope in Montpelier,” said Rep. Conor Casey, D-Montpelier. “This bill is about hope, to give light at the end of the tunnel after all we’ve been through.”
Montpelier is still recovering from historic back-to-back stressors: the COVID-19 pandemic, which decreased foot traffic downtown, and devastating floods, which reduced housing stock.
H.50 would direct the Department of Buildings and General Services to take an inventory of buildings fit for conversion, as well as state-owned empty plots of land that potentially could be built upon.
By taking inventory, the Legislature will be provided with important information about which pieces of land could be kept or sold, Casey said.
Housing is the most important issue for residents of Montpelier, said the bill’s other sponsor, Rep. Kate McCann, D-Montpelier. Casey and McCann encountered this first hand while running for office in 2022.
“We knocked on about 3,500 doors in Montpelier, and the number one concern we heard from constituents was around housing and homelessness.” McCann said.
Montpellier lacks housing stock needed to mitigate homelessness, allow for in-town moving, and provide relocation for job seekers. Additional housing units could attract employees to the workforce and families to the school system.
In addition to alleviating challenges brought on by low vacancy rates and the lack of affordable housing, Casey and McCann suggest the bill could boost Montpelier’s local economy and revitalize the downtown area.
Casey points to underutilized state buildings. Offices which once brought business to local restaurants and shops lie vacant due to the increase of work from home positions.
“Montpelier is providing the infrastructure for workers to come into town, but we don’t get the benefit,” Casey said.
Casey said state employees suggested this bill, telling him that taxpayer dollars are wasted by maintaining and heating these buildings.
While this bill is still in its early stages, City and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Jerome is already looking forward to potential wins and challenges that may arise.
“It could uncover the challenge with adaptive reuse of existing buildings,” Jerome said. “But it’s a good exercise for the state to go through.”
To convert state buildings into residential housing, the structures have to meet residential standards, which may require expensive renovation. Buildings built decades ago may not be feasible for conversion, because stairwells and elevator shafts do not have the proper layout for modern housing developments.
Jerome echoed the sentiments of Casey and McCann, highlighting the need for state inventory of underutilized properties.
“This touches on a really important question that we’ve raised with state officials a number of times over the years,” he said. “You have underutilized assets in Montpelier, and we want to see them activated.”
H.50 has been referred to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions. The bill’s text and history can be found here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.50