Chester Housing Commission
Chester is a great small town with much to offer but the workers that we need—teachers, nurses, restaurant workers, as well as seniors and countless others—are being priced out of home ownership. As Vermont Housing Finance Agency Executive Director Maura Collins has put it, "Vermont risks becoming a playground for the rich and famous while moderate-income workers struggle to live here.” When Chester residents were asked “Is there currently ample housing for residents of all income levels in Chester?” in a 2022 community survey, only 12% said yes while 88% said no or not sure.
In July of 2023, the Chester Select Board established a 7-member Chester Housing Commission and at Town Meeting in March of 2025 the voters established a Chester Housing Trust Fund. The Select Board also implemented a short-term rental registration program in 2023, currently capped at 65 short-term rentals town-wide, and budgeted that the net proceeds of the short-term rental fees collected be transferred annually into the Housing Trust Fund. The Select Board is now considering a 1% local options tax on rooms, meals, and alcoholic beverages purchased with a meal (but NOT on retail sales) with those tax proceeds also to be transferred to the Housing Trust Fund.
The Chester Housing Commission is actively considering three housing project sites: one on the 140-acre town-owned “water tank property” on VT Route 103 near Green Mountain High School, and two on privately owned property.
In July of 2023, the Chester Select Board established a 7-member Chester Housing Commission and at Town Meeting in March of 2025 the voters established a Chester Housing Trust Fund. The Select Board also implemented a short-term rental registration program in 2023, currently capped at 65 short-term rentals town-wide, and budgeted that the net proceeds of the short-term rental fees collected be transferred annually into the Housing Trust Fund. The Select Board is now considering a 1% local options tax on rooms, meals, and alcoholic beverages purchased with a meal (but NOT on retail sales) with those tax proceeds also to be transferred to the Housing Trust Fund.
The Chester Housing Commission is actively considering three housing project sites: one on the 140-acre town-owned “water tank property” on VT Route 103 near Green Mountain High School, and two on privately owned property.
The mission of the Town of Chester Housing Commission is to create a strong, sustainable,
and inclusive community and quality affordable housing for all.
and inclusive community and quality affordable housing for all.
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Donate to the Chester Housing Trust Fund!
Click the icon on the right to donate or mail or drop off a check at the Town Offices at 566 Elm Street, P.O. Box 370, Chester, VT 05143. Donations are fully tax-deductible. View the Chester Housing Commission governing bylaws here. View the May 2025 Chester Housing Feasibility Study report here. |
Click above to donate by credit card
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Chester’s Pleasantbrook Apartments, 24 units of affordable housing built in 1992
Housing Commission Meetings:
The Housing Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 PM at the Town Hall downstairs meeting room. The link to participate via Zoom teleconference is on the town website homepage.
The Housing Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 PM at the Town Hall downstairs meeting room. The link to participate via Zoom teleconference is on the town website homepage.
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Housing Commission Members:
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Chester Apartments, 36 units of senior housing built in 1982
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Housing Commission Staff Support:
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Depot Street Apartments, 6 units of affordable housing built in 2013
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Have questions? Have land? Want to get involved?
Contact Preston Bristow at:
802-875-2173
[email protected]
Contact Preston Bristow at:
802-875-2173
[email protected]
Agendas |
Minutes |