Vermont manufactured home communities receive $15.5 million for water infrastructure through state initiative
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) announced $13.3 million in Healthy Homes Initiative awards and $2.2 million in Three-Acre Stormwater Initiative awards to help 46 manufactured housing communities repair, replace and upgrade water infrastructure.
The Cooperative Development Institute (CDI)’s Water Infrastructure Support Program (WISP) helped 16 of the 46 manufactured home communities secure funding through the state initiatives, totalling more than $4 million in awards. WISP provides free technical and managerial support to connect eligible manufactured home communities across New England with available funding sources.
Manufactured home communities are an essential source of affordable housing for New England. But often their infrastructure is at the end of its useful lifespan, so major investment is needed to sustain these affordable communities for the long term. Our WISP Program bridges the gap between the worlds of water infrastructure funding–traditionally geared towards municipalities–and manufactured home communities.
“It’s very reassuring that there are state funds for these projects,” said Peter Neff, Board President of the Triangle Cooperative Community in Brandon, VT. “Since many of these parks are aging out, it leaves the burden of fixing them for the future to us. I really don’t think we would be able to do it on our own. I can’t wait to get it started.”
“With great gratitude Sterling View appreciates the leadership of the Cooperative Development Institute’s team of techs successfully guiding our application for grant funding of the Act 64 3-Acre stormwater abatement required by the State of Vermont,” said Paul Nesky, Board President of Sterling View in Hyde Park, VT.
“This initiative shows exactly why it was so important to invest American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funding in infrastructure that helped families and communities across the state,” said Vermont Gov. Phil Scott. “These investments support safe, affordable housing for historically underserved or economically disadvantaged communities, and help residents in manufactured housing communities overcome barriers to fixing water infrastructure issues. Healthy Homes has been an important part of our housing strategy for years, and I hope the Legislature continues to support it.”
“Sunset Lake Cooperative is beyond grateful for the ARPA grant we received” said Nicole Parent, Board President of Sunset Lake in Hinesburg, VT. “This grant will help us maintain affordable housing while having to do major infrastructure updates. Maintaining affordable housing for our community in today’s economy is crucial to the livelihood of our members.”
Read the full press release from Gov. Phil Scott here: https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/155-million-awarded-46-manufactured-housing-communities-water-infrastructure-projects
For press inquiries, please reach out to Heather Holland | Communications Manager | hholland@cdi.coop