Creating Housing for Local Workers

Supporting community by protecting housing for those who live and work in the community year round.
About
Local Deeds is a program to protect housing for families and individuals who live and work, or will work, here year-round serving the local community. The project will buy deed restrictions on existing and new properties in exchange for cash that can be used by the owners of these homes for their own purposes. While the program is not yet operational, please contact us to discuss your needs in anticipation of the time when we will be able to assist you.
The Challenge
Like many communities in Vermont and nationally, Woodstock and the surrounding area face an extreme housing shortage. Families and individuals of ranging income levels and ages cannot find a home here. Teachers, bartenders, police officers, retail workers, artists, and others are leaving the area and taking jobs in locations where they can live within their means. When those who work here can’t affordably live here, they may choose to leave, and the dynamism and quality of life of the community and its residents decline.
The Solution
Local Deeds will pay up to 10-16% of the property’s fair-market value in exchange for a permanent deed restriction. The deed restriction does not impose an appreciation cap. The deed-restricted housing must be occupied by a household that contains at least one “qualified resident,” a person who works at least 30 hours per week in a Woodstock Area business or organization. A retiree who has worked in the area for the five years prior to retirement is also a qualified resident. The property owner may be the qualified resident or rent to a qualified resident.
The Impact
This is a local, high-impact investment opportunity. Funds are used to invest in deed-restricted properties. When the resort community of Vail, Colorado, faced a situation where 95% of homes were being purchased by vacation-home buyers, the community chose to invest more than $11M through Vail InDEED to protect and preserve the supply of homes and rentals for local residents and workers. The program has created 175 deed-restricted homes for locals, just since 2019.
Project Plans and Support
We are currently raising funds to begin this program. The first priority will be to offer down payments to prospective buyers. We will continue to seek other opportunities for longer-term funding of this project beyond philanthropy.