Committee hears support, concerns for S.127 CHIP program as tool to fund housing infrastructure

The Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on April 22 heard testimony on S.127's CHIP program, a proposal to defer or reallocate municipal and education property-tax revenue to pay for infrastructure and site improvements that support housing.

Charlie Baker, executive director of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and representative of the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies, urged the committee to explicitly allow regional planning commissions (RPCs) and regional development corporations to be reimbursed for related costs so they can assist towns applying to the program. "We have the ability to step in and help a town if they need help with this process, and then get reimbursed out of the proceeds of it," Baker said.

Committee members and witnesses debated two central issues: (1) narrow versus broad eligibility for CHIP-funded improvements, and (2) safeguards to ensure projects produce housing that benefits year-round residents rather than primarily second…