Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 732: An act relating to new income tax brackets

H.732 establishes two new income tax brackets for higher earners in Vermont. Individuals would pay an additional 1% tax on income between $200,000-$400,000 and above $400,000, while married couples filing jointly would pay the extra rate on income between $400,000-$800,000 and above $800,000. The revenue generated would fund an expanded property tax credit specifically for Vermont households with annual income below $115,000. This directly affects high-income taxpayers through new tax rates and low-to-moderate-income households via increased credit support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases taxes on high earners ($200k+/individual) to fund property tax credit for households under $115k, providing targeted tax relief for lower-income groups.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds property tax credit for households under $115k, directly increasing housing affordability through tax relief for low-to-moderate income residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

Track

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 325: An act relating to regional planning and Act 250 Tier jurisdiction

S.325 creates a task force to develop model zoning bylaws for "residential opportunity overlay districts" in Vermont. The task force (with 9 members including housing experts, local government reps, and legislators) will draft clear, objective zoning codes allowing more housing development with simplified approval - requiring only a "certificate of compliance" from a zoning administrator, not municipal hearings or reviews. Municipalities could choose to adopt these model codes to meet state housing targets, with state grants and oversight available. The task force must submit its recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Vermont towns and cities seeking to streamline housing development under state housing goals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates task force to develop model zoning bylaws enabling simplified housing development (replacing hearings with 'certificate of compliance'), directly advancing housing supply and affordability through streamlined municipal approvals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 602: An act relating to housing and land use

This bill repeals a rule requiring permits for road construction over certain lengths (800+ feet per road or 2,000+ feet total), simplifying development for clustered housing projects. It extends until 2030 exemptions for priority housing projects in designated downtowns, growth centers, or neighborhood areas with existing infrastructure. The bill also allows accessory dwelling units in single-family homes and small conversions of commercial buildings to housing (up to 29 units) without permits until 2030. These changes directly affect developers, homeowners, and municipalities by reducing regulatory barriers for housing construction in targeted areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals permit requirements for housing development, extends exemptions for priority projects, and allows accessory dwelling units - all advancing housing supply and development barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

Track

passed · Vermont · House May 22, 2026

H 775: An act relating to creating tools for housing production

H.775 creates Vermont's Rural Housing Finance Pilot Program to support affordable housing in rural areas. It allows municipalities with populations under 5,000 to apply for tax stabilization on new housing developments, freezing property values for the first seven years after construction and gradually increasing them over the next three years (25% to 75% of market changes). Projects must include at least 15% affordable units (minimum two units) with 15-year affordability covenants, and limit residential units to 16 per development. The bill also establishes a Vermont Housing Special Fund to manage interest from credit facility loans used for bulk purchasing of off-site housing and mobile home park infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax stabilization (property value freeze) for rural housing projects, promoting affordable housing through fiscal incentives, aligning with tax relief and fiscal management goals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates rural affordable housing program requiring 15% affordable units with 15-year covenants and tax stabilization to boost production.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes Tags Rural Communities

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 667: An act relating to collective homeownership resources

This bill requires Vermont's Department of Housing and Community Development to provide free, online resources to help the public establish collective homeownership models. It mandates the department to create and share practical materials - including guides for organization and conflict resolution, standard templates for cooperative housing articles of incorporation, and templates for tenants-in-common agreements. These resources will be made available in a user-friendly format at no cost to residents, community groups, or potential cooperative housing developers. The bill directly affects anyone seeking to form or manage collective ownership housing arrangements under Vermont law. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides free resources for cooperative housing models, enabling affordable housing development and tenant ownership structures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homeownership Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 594: An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

This bill establishes two temporary housing programs for Vermonters in crisis during fiscal years 2027-2028: the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program (TEHAP) and the Return Home Program (RHP). It directly affects individuals and households without fixed housing or at immediate risk of losing housing within seven days, including those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or with disabilities. Key provisions include setting strict eligibility criteria, requiring case management services to connect participants with permanent housing and support, transitioning away from hotel/motel reliance toward sustainable options like recovery housing and the Vermont Housing Investment Program (VHIP), and implementing accountability measures for program oversight. The bill mandates a tiered care approach and requires active participant engagement to achieve housing stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded housing programs for vulnerable populations, directly allocating budget resources for essential services during specified fiscal years.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates two emergency housing programs (TEHAP/RHP) funding temporary housing for homeless, domestic violence victims, and disabled Vermonters at immediate risk of housing loss, directly addressing homelessness and providing housing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

passed · Vermont · House Mar 25, 2026

H 537: An act relating to the right to grow vegetable gardens

This bill prohibits landlords and common interest communities (like HOAs) from banning vegetable gardens in tenants' or unit owners' private areas. It requires associations to approve garden requests within 60 days (deeming them approved if not denied in writing), makes restrictive rules unenforceable, and holds owners responsible for maintenance costs and disclosure to future buyers. Landlords may set reasonable limits on garden appearance, safety, and pesticide use but cannot block gardens in approved areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to condominiums.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords/HOAs from banning tenant vegetable gardens, strengthening tenant rights and control over private living spaces per bill's explicit language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 746: An act relating to potable water supply and wastewater system permitting

H.746 simplifies permitting rules for potable water and wastewater systems to support housing development in Vermont. It requires a minimum 75-foot distance between water and wastewater systems (unless site conditions require more), allows public buildings like schools to switch uses without redesign, and sets new design standards for systems under paved areas. The bill reduces required water flow rates to enable compact housing, exempts village infrastructure projects from certain permits, and removes land use taxes for water system construction on enrolled agricultural land. These changes aim to lower development costs while maintaining health and environmental protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingSimplifies water/wastewater permitting to enable housing development via reduced flow rates, compact housing design, and streamlined approvals for housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development

Track

signed · Vermont · House Mar 25, 2026

H 790: An act relating to fiscal year 2026 budget adjustments

H.790 adjusts specific line items in Vermont's fiscal year 2026 budget, primarily modifying existing funding allocations rather than creating new programs. It increases renter rebate funding from $9.5 million to $11 million (a $1.5 million increase) and decreases homeowner rebate funding from $19 million to $17.5 million (a $1.5 million reduction). The bill also raises legislative counsel funding by $720,000 (from $4.88 million to $5.60 million) and makes minor adjustments to other state agency budgets. These changes directly affect renters and homeowners through rebate program funding levels, while state government operations are impacted through revised budget allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases renter rebates (lower-income focus) while decreasing homeowner rebates, shifting funds toward middle/lower income taxpayers via budget reallocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases renter rebate funding by $1.5M (from $9.5M to $11M), directly advancing affordable housing access for tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Homeownership Renters

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 757: An act relating to manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives

This bill proposes key changes to manufactured home ownership and limited equity cooperative housing in Vermont. It requires specific warranty deeds for mobile homes financed as real estate, exempts mobile homes from sales tax (shifting to property transfer tax), and removes property taxes for mobile home parks organized as limited equity cooperatives. The bill also prohibits subleasing in new limited equity co-ops unless hardship is proven, classifies them as nonprofits serving low/moderate-income residents for state funding, and allows manufactured housing to be treated equally with other housing in municipal zoning. These changes directly affect manufactured home owners, mobile home park residents, and limited equity cooperative corporations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts mobile homes from sales tax and removes property taxes for low-income housing co-ops, providing tax relief to target demographic.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes property taxes for LECs (affordable housing for low/moderate-income) and exempts mobile homes from sales tax, making housing more affordable. Classifies LECs as nonprofits serving low/moderate-income, advancing affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Zoning