What do we mean by "affordable housing?"

The generally-accepted standard for housing affordability defines housing as "affordable" if the household is paying no more than 30 percent of its income for rent and utilities or for mortgage, taxes and insurance.

This standard may be too high when considering the rising costs of other necessities, such as health care, fuel, and child care, but it remains the basis for defining "affordable housing."

For example, an affordable home for a Vermont family earning the median household income of $51,622 would be about $158,000. To afford the Fair Market Rent for a modest, two-bedroom apartment in Vermont ($836), a household would need an income of $33,342.

What does affordable housing look like?

Unfortunately, many out-dated stereotypes exist about affordable housing development. One common misconception is that affordable housing means large, unattractive apartment complexes, such as projects built in the 1960s. The reality is much different.

Affordable housing in Vermont comes in many different shapes and sizes, depending on the character of the community where it's located.

Take a look: Here are six examples of affordable housing found in Vermont:

South Street Bennington	Green Mountain Seminary Waterbury Center	Round Barn Senior Living Community Grand Isle


64 School Street Rutland	Waterfront Housing Burlington	Shelburne Family Housing Shelburne