During a recent meeting of the Vermont Senate Economic Development Committee, discussions highlighted a pressing issue facing the state: a significant housing shortage. Committee members expressed a strong consensus that Vermont is not constructing enough homes to meet the growing demand.

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency presented a needs assessment that underscored the severity of the situation. Current housing production rates are alarmingly low, with construction occurring at only half the necessary pace to adequately address the state's housing needs. This trend has persisted for decades, with recent comparisons showing that housing growth today is only a third of what it was in the 1980s.

The implications of this underbuilding are profound. If Vermont had maintained adequate construction levels since the 1990s, the state would likely be in a much more favorable position regarding housing availability. The committee's discussions reflect a collective acknowledgment of the challenges posed by this housing deficit, emphasizing the urgency for action to rectify the situation.

As the committee continues to explore solutions, the focus remains on addressing the housing crisis that is impacting communities across Vermont. The need for strategic planning and increased construction efforts is clear, as the state grapples with the consequences of years of insufficient housing development.