House and Senate housing committees lay out broad agenda: appeals, CHIPS, manufactured homes, permitting and funding
November 06, 2025 | General & Housing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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Committee leaders closed the hearing by using the remaining time to review subjects they expect to address during the next legislative session and to solicit member priorities. The items described cover regulatory, financing and operational topics that members said will need cross-committee work and, in some cases, expedited attention.
The committee listed several near-term priorities: landlord-tenant reform bills, possible changes to streamline tax sales for abandoned homes, and a focused look at manufactured-home finance and park ownership models. Members also highlighted rural finance and off-site/modular construction as potential opportunities to lower costs and accelerate production in smaller towns. The Land Use Review Board’s report — a statutory deliverable referenced repeatedly by members — is due mid-month and will inform appeals reform legislation aimed at shortening appeal timelines and clarifying standing rules.
Committee members warned that permitting delays and sequential state approvals add time and cost to projects, and several members urged a leaner, more accountable permitting process. The committee additionally discussed CHIPS guideline implementation and technical assistance for small municipalities, the need to anchor VHIP and other high-impact pilots into base budgets, and renewed attention to short-term rentals and HOA issues. Members raised concerns that the Human Rights Commission’s fair-housing work lost HUD funding and that case volumes have grown considerably, flagging a budget and enforcement gap.
Several members emphasized cross-committee coordination (Environment, Judiciary, Ways and Means, Human Services) and joint hearings to manage bills that touch multiple jurisdictions. The chair and members asked staff to produce draft language and to coordinate with the senate and relevant stakeholders so the committees can prioritize a manageable set of bills in the coming session.
The committee listed several near-term priorities: landlord-tenant reform bills, possible changes to streamline tax sales for abandoned homes, and a focused look at manufactured-home finance and park ownership models. Members also highlighted rural finance and off-site/modular construction as potential opportunities to lower costs and accelerate production in smaller towns. The Land Use Review Board’s report — a statutory deliverable referenced repeatedly by members — is due mid-month and will inform appeals reform legislation aimed at shortening appeal timelines and clarifying standing rules.
Committee members warned that permitting delays and sequential state approvals add time and cost to projects, and several members urged a leaner, more accountable permitting process. The committee additionally discussed CHIPS guideline implementation and technical assistance for small municipalities, the need to anchor VHIP and other high-impact pilots into base budgets, and renewed attention to short-term rentals and HOA issues. Members raised concerns that the Human Rights Commission’s fair-housing work lost HUD funding and that case volumes have grown considerably, flagging a budget and enforcement gap.
Several members emphasized cross-committee coordination (Environment, Judiciary, Ways and Means, Human Services) and joint hearings to manage bills that touch multiple jurisdictions. The chair and members asked staff to produce draft language and to coordinate with the senate and relevant stakeholders so the committees can prioritize a manageable set of bills in the coming session.
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