Burlington council unanimously directs staff to study doubling city investment in housing trust fund

The Burlington City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 10 to ask city staff to produce a report outlining ways to increase funding for the Burlington Housing Trust Fund by at least $1,000,000 and to identify options that would be revenue-neutral or targeted at high-income residents, large businesses or visitors.

Supporters told the council during the meeting's public forum and deliberative session that the trust fund has a long track record of producing permanently affordable units and that larger, recurring city investment is needed to meet mounting demand. "I urge you to support the housing trust and fund resolution and engage with the city's very talented CDO office to find a way to increase its funding," said Amy Wright, speaking from her experience developing family and senior affordable housing.

The resolution sponsor, Councilor Kathryn Neubieser, described the motion as a first step toward expanding a local funding stream that has helped develop perpetually affordable housing in Burlington. "The report asks city staff to produce a variety of ways we can increase funding for the housing trust fund by…