Land Access Opportunity Board asks Appropriations for $3.2M to expand resilience hubs and grants
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Summary
The Land Access Opportunity Board told the House Appropriations Committee it needs $3.2 million in FY27 — including $1.5 million in additional one‑time funds — to cover staffing, operating costs and seed grants such as resilience‑hub awards; the board said it has 37 resilience‑hub applications covering all counties.
The Land Access Opportunity Board asked the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 17 for $3.2 million in fiscal 2027 funding to expand staff, operations and grantmaking intended to help Vermonters from historically marginalized communities access land and housing. "So our FY27 budget is $3,200,000," said Jean Hamilton, one of the board's co‑directors.
The board said the governor's recommended base allocation is substantially lower than its operating needs. "The total that the governor put in is ... 1,680,530," Hamilton said, and the board asked lawmakers to consider increasing base funding toward roughly $1.784 million and providing about $1.5 million in one‑time funds to support program rollout.
Why it matters: LAOB was created by statute in 2022 to audit systems and advise state agencies on improving access to woodlands, farmland and homeownership for communities that have faced historic barriers. Board leaders told the committee their work is primarily advisory but can include grantmaking when statute allows, and that sustained operating funding will be required to maintain newly launched programs.
The board highlighted a resilience‑hub initiative developed after the 2023 floods as an example of the requested investments. An LAOB presenter said the program has generated broad interest: "We've received 37 hub applications that are ready to serve all counties in our state," the presenter said, and explained the board currently has $350,000 secured for resilience‑hub grants, $250,000 pending in the Budget Adjustment Act, and hopes to add $400,000 in FY27 to create a cohort of 16–20 hubs.
Committee members asked for a clearer spreadsheet showing the governor's recommendation, the board's base request and the one‑time ask; the board agreed to provide a memo with a line‑by‑line comparison. Members also probed how LAOB coordinates shelter and homelessness work with the Agency of Human Services; board leaders said they participate in the Housing and Homelessness Alliance (HHAB) and are in touch with relevant partners but have not met directly with AHS on the shelter initiative.
What’s next: LAOB agreed to send the committee an updated budget spreadsheet and a memo clarifying which line items are base versus one‑time. Committee members offered to help with advocacy and cross‑agency connections.
