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AHW's December Board meeting will be held on Thursday, December 18, at 4pm at the National Bank of Middlebury in Middlebury or via Zoom. For meeting materials, please RSVP below. Minutes and agenda are available for download below: We want to share some important information from the Vermont Economic Services Division regarding SNAP/Food Stamp benefits and local food resources for Addison County residents.
Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits were expected to stop on November 1, 2025. However, we received an update today from Economic Services with details on how the State of Vermont is responding to support residents who rely on these benefits. Here’s what you need to know:
As soon as Addison Housing Works receives the official press release from Economic Services, we will share it with residents by email. If you have questions or need support with food access or benefit navigation, please reach out to our Resident Support Staff: Precious Chamberlain and Kaio DePaula can assist with:
You can also download this guide to local Addison County food and community resources. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. New Haven community members are invited to join a free community dinner and discussion on local topics on Thursday, November 6 from 4:30-8:30pm at the Town Hall. You can share your ideas about infrastructure, affordability, community engagement, the Fire Station, Depot, the future of Beeman, youth and families and more.
All are welcome to join the “New Haven Comes Together” 3-step process: residents, students, families, and anyone who works in town, owns a business, or cares about the future of the community. We will offer childcare, and you can find help getting a ride or other accessibility needs on the flier or the website: bit.ly/NewHavenTogether. Steps 2 and 3 of “New Haven Comes Together” will be held at the Town Hall on December 11 and January 15 to decide top priorities and build action plans. These events are hosted by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), an independent nonprofit that has worked with more than 90 towns in Vermont. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or 802-222-6896 to learn more. The October Board Meeting will be held on October 30th at 4:30 pm in Vergennes or via Zoom. Please RSVP below if you plan on attending or to receive the Zoom link and meeting materials.  Addison Housing Works is proud to announce that our Lindale Community Septic Project in Middlebury has been named the 2025 Vermont Planners Association Project of the Year! Infrastructure is more than pipes and tanks, it’s the foundation for thriving communities. The Lindale project replaced failing, outdated septic systems in a mobile home community with a modern, 20,000-gallon-per-day system, ensuring long-term environmental safety and stability for residents. This project exemplifies how to youre-invited-lindale-ribbon-cutting.htmlbuild infrastructure capacity while preserving affordable housing. By assembling a complex but successful mix of grants, loans, and congressional support totaling over $2.6 million, we’ve created a model for other communities across Vermont. For families living in Lindale Mobile Home Park, this upgrade is life-changing. One resident shared that having a reliable, safe septic system has not only improved day-to-day life but also strengthened the sense of community in the park. The Lindale project is a testament to what’s possible when we prioritize both environmental responsibility and housing affordability. Read more about the residents of Lindale Mobile Home Park: https://www.addisonhousingworks.org/blog/35th-anniversary-feature-resident-spotlight And more about the Lindale Septic Project: https://www.addisonhousingworks.org/blog/youre-invited-lindale-ribbon-cutting  When Sean and Shalyn Couch began dreaming of homeownership, they never imagined the path would take them across the country to Vermont. In 2017, while living in San Diego, they started looking for homes but quickly realized the market there was out of reach. They longed for a place where they could start a family, in a safe, family-centered community. Vermont’s natural beauty, family-friendly atmosphere, and shared values called to them. So, in 2020 they made the leap, packing up, moving east with newborn baby Eleanor, and deciding to rent until they found the right home. The Long Road to Homeownership Like so many young families, Sean and Shalyn worked hard to prepare for homeownership. They paid off debt, saved diligently for a down payment, and set their hearts on finding a permanent home. But the Vermont housing market wasn’t easy to navigate. Many homes were fixer-uppers that needed more work than they could take on. Others were too far from the schools, jobs, and grocery stores that their growing family needed. For a time, they squeezed into a tiny studio apartment, making do while Eleanor was still a baby, but they knew it couldn’t last forever. Eventually, they found a rental in Middlebury, and everything changed. “We fell in love with Middlebury,” Shalyn shared. “The schools, the neighborhood, the community, it all just felt right.” Sean, who works as a delivery driver, has the chance to see towns all across Vermont, but nothing compared to Middlebury. Shalyn works at the local food co-op, where she’s found the same sense of community and shared values that first drew their family to Vermont. Together, they knew this was where they wanted to put down roots. Finding Addison Housing Works Then, all in the same week, two things happened: they spotted information about Addison Housing Works’ Shared Equity Program online, and their realtor mentioned it as well. It felt like a sign. Still, they assumed it was a long shot. “We figured too many people had already applied and that we’d be way down on the list,” Shalyn recalled. But then came the email from AHW’s Shared Equity Manager, Michelle. The Couches were first in line for a brand-new home at Stonecrop Meadows through the Shared Equity Program. “When I opened that email,” Shalyn said, “I felt like we won the lottery. My heart couldn’t contain the emotion.” Welcome Home This summer, the Couches closed on their new home, the first family to move into Stonecrop Meadows through AHW’s Shared Equity Program. “We wanted this so badly, and now we have it,” Shalyn reflected. “It feels like a dream come true.” Their favorite part? “The convenience,” Sean said. “Everything is brand new. Everything is an upgrade. We love having a garage and being able to bring groceries in while staying dry.” For Shalyn, it’s the cozy “nook space” by the window, a perfect reading spot for her and Eleanor to share books together, or for Shalyn to enjoy a rare quiet moment. And for Eleanor, age five, the best part of her new home is the simple joy of a bedroom window where she can look out at the stars and the moon each night. Beyond the house itself, Sean and Shalyn say the community has already made them feel at peace: “Everyone is so nice. I feel calmer here. We feel like we belong.” A Home for Today and Tomorrow For the Couches, their new home is more than just a house. It’s stability, safety, and a future. Thanks to a down payment grant from Addison Housing Works and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, a home that otherwise would have cost over $350,000 was made accessible at just $233,000 and will now remain permanently affordable for future generations of families like the Couches. One day, Sean and Shalyn hope their home can either be passed on to Eleanor or transition to another family in need continuing the cycle of opportunity that helped make their dream possible. That’s the power of the Shared Equity Program: it makes homeownership possible today, while ensuring homes stay affordable for generations to come. Welcome home, Couches. We are so glad you’re here. Want to learn more about how Addison Housing Works’ Shared Equity Program can help make your dream of homeownership possible? Visit addisonhousingworks.org/shared-equity-program.  On a beautiful September evening, around 200 community members gathered on the Bristol Town Green for Addison Housing Works’ annual celebration, Home Growing Under the Stars. With music filling the air, delicious local food, and laughter all around, it was a joyful night dedicated to raising awareness and funds for affordable housing in Addison County. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors and guests, the event raised a record-breaking $45,700, the largest total in AHW’s event history! These funds will go directly toward providing and maintaining affordable homes and offering supportive services that help our residents thrive. Guests enjoyed live music by Scarlett Annie and the Individuals, food from La Chapina, Tailgate with Kate, Adventure Dinner, and lu•lu Ice Cream, and activities for all ages including face painting by Julie Cousino of Handwork Studio, lawn games, and horse-drawn carriage rides by Driven by Drafts featuring our Firehouse Apartments property. The evening also included heartfelt words from AHW Board President David Hamilton, resident Everett Lee of Lauritsen Mobile Home Park, AHW Executive Director Elise Shanbacker, and Firehouse Apartments resident Zachary Pittel, each reminding us how home builds community. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and everyone who attended. Together, we’re creating more opportunities for safe, stable, and affordable homes in Addison County. If you’d like to stay connected, you can subscribe to our newsletter or make a donation to support our ongoing work. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more inclusive community one home at a time. The September Board Meeting will be held on September 25 at 4:30 pm in Vergennes or via Zoom. Please RSVP below if you plan on attending or to receive the Zoom link and meeting materials. The recent executive order, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets, highlights real challenges facing communities: visible homelessness, public safety concerns, and the acute needs of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. It is undeniable that some people experiencing homelessness struggle with mental illness or substance use, and these issues can be associated with higher risk of victimization, encounters with law enforcement, and challenges in maintaining stable housing.
However, the EO mischaracterizes the problem and proposes solutions that evidence shows are ineffective or harmful. Contrary to the claim that the “overwhelming majority” of people experiencing homelessness have mental health or substance use disorders, research consistently finds that:
Effective Solutions The research base is clear that effective strategies require housing first coupled with robust, voluntary, and when necessary, assertive services, rather than coercion or involuntary commitment:
Systemic Challenges Current homelessness systems are under-resourced. Many communities lack sufficient affordable housing, case management capacity, and coordinated health services. These gaps leave individuals exposed to cycles of crisis, incarceration, and hospitalization. Accessible voluntary services are necessary but not sufficient; high-risk individuals may require more assertively delivered services to ensure both their safety and that of the community. To the extent Housing First is not meeting its promise for the minority of the homeless population who are experiencing mental illness or SUD, it is due to lack of co-investment in services, not a failure of the model itself. The solution is more robust service-delivery--especially through ACT and permanent supportive housing--not a return to the dark days of mass institutionalization. Conclusion The evidence indicates that public safety and community well-being are best supported by:
Coercion, involuntary commitment, or criminalization of homelessness does not address the root causes and is consistently shown to worsen outcomes. A data-driven, humane approach requires substantial investment in housing and services that meet people where they are, protect civil rights, and promote long-term stability. |
AuthorAddison Housing Works staff members share news and information about upcoming events. Archives
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Main Office: 272 Main St | PO Box 311 | Vergennes, VT 05491 | (802)877-2626 | TTY: 7-1-1
Apartment Management Division: 272 Main St | PO Box 156 | Vergennes, VT 05491 | (802)877-2626
Apartment Management Division: 272 Main St | PO Box 156 | Vergennes, VT 05491 | (802)877-2626