Cathedral Square describes new affordable housing, outlines SASH services and funding gap

Representatives from Cathedral Square told a legislative committee that the nonprofit manages 29 affordable-housing properties across northern and northwestern Vermont and operates the SASH (Support and Services at Home) program that serves older adults and people with disabilities.

Cathedral Square Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives Molly Dugan said the organization has produced both urban and rural housing, highlighted recent openings and projects in the pipeline, and emphasized the role of Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) funding in preserving permanently affordable units. "For the record, my name is Molly Dugan, and I'm director of policy and strategic initiatives at Cathedral Square," she said.

The testimony focused on two linked themes: housing production owned and operated by Cathedral Square, and the SASH services model that delivers on-site wellness coordination and nursing support. Molly Dugan and Liz (statewide SASH administrator, Cathedral Square) described the program's staffing, reported participant counts and cited evaluations that attributed reduced emergency and inpatient use to SASH participation.

Cathedral Square said it now manages 29 properties across the region and noted recent developments and planned openings: Bayview Crossing (20 homes, opened 2022 in South Hero); an expansion at Kelleys Field adding 24 units that will accept residents in February; a 33-unit project in…