A lack of affordable and accessible housing in Vermont is a critical issue that affects many Vermonters, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). In response to this challenge, individuals with I/DD, their parents, advocates, service providers, state leaders, and housing partners have unified to create new housing options in partnership with developers, architects, and funders. An example of this statewide collaboration is the legislatively appointed Act 69 Committee, directed to provide a report and recommendations to the legislature on meeting Vermont’s housing needs for individuals with I/DD. This report, “The Road Home”, details current and trending housing needs over the next five years. Recommendations include the estimated cost of investments required to meet this ongoing and dire need. Vermonters with I/DD and their families require options that meet their needs for safe, affordable, accessible housing as well as the day-to-day support to live and thrive as contributing community members.
Upper Valley Services (UVS), a part of the Vermont Care Partners network, has been at the forefront of this effort. As a designated agency serving individuals with I/DD in Orange County and beyond, UVS is currently developing two new models to expand options and opportunities for affordable and accessible housing for individuals with I/DD.
Hamesbest: Randolph Center
One initiative, The Hamesbest Project, which is being developed in partnership with Downstreet Housing and Community Development, involves the comprehensive renovation of a single-family home and its garage in a historic district in Randolph Center. Called Hamesbest – Scottish for “Home is Best”- by the family who generously gifted the property to UVS, the home will provide permanent, affordable, and accessible housing for two individuals with I/DD, complete with dedicated on-site staff support. Additionally, the existing garage on the property is being converted into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), offering accessible housing for another individual.
“Hamesbest is more than a housing project – it’s a permanent community asset that reflects our shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging,” said Angie Harbin, Downstreet Executive Director. “We’re proud to partner with Upper Valley Services on this innovative model that creates lasting, affordable housing for Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
The renovation project is funded in large part through grants from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) and the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP), underscoring the collaborative effort to address critical housing needs in the state. UVS has launched a capital campaign to help close a funding gap which emphasizes the need for continued funding streams for projects such as this. The home and ADU are expected to be ready for occupancy by May 2026. More information can be found at uvs.org/housing.
Marsh House
In addition to Hamesbest, UVS and Downstreet Housing & Community Development collaborated to designate four apartments for individuals with I/DD within a 26-unit multi-family building planned for downtown Waterbury. This is an inclusive Supported Housing Model within an affordable housing project located within walking distance to downtown, enabling easy community access and incorporating universal design features. Three of the designated units will be for residential use, and the fourth will serve as the base for onsite staffing resources for daily life and support as needed. This housing project is expected to support three to six individuals with I/DD currently receiving services through UVS and is fully funded. The construction began early in 2025, and the units will be ready for occupancy early this summer.
Whether it is a single-family home, a multi-family building, or an ADU, these initiatives demonstrate some of the diverse approaches available and necessary for creating more affordable, accessible, and community-integrated housing and support options for Vermonters with I/DD. As stated by UVS Executive Director, Gloria Quinn, “It is a privilege to create these new housing options for individuals supported by UVS, and imperative for the state to continue to invest in a range of housing and support options for Vermonters with I/DD. This will necessarily be an ongoing focus for self-advocates, families, and providers alike over the coming years.”
About Upper Valley Services
Our mission is to provide lifetime community-based support for individuals with developmental disabilities and adults who qualify for a nursing home level of care by offering a comprehensive range of person-centered services tailored to each individual’s needs, values, and choices so that they may live their best lives.
Learn more about Upper Valley Services by visiting www.uvs-vt.org/.
This article is part of a series, collaboratively produced by members of Vermont Care Partners, a statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability supports.
