Employee Basic Needs
Healthcare and Housing
Without affordable, accessible, available housing and healthcare in Vermont, our economy is less stable and our communities are less vibrant. VBSR works to incentivize and support efforts to promote the development of affordable housing for low-and-middle-income Vermonters and stays focused on our ultimate goal of decoupling health insurance from employment.
Economic Stability and Housing: Building a Resilient Vermont
The link between economic stability and housing is undeniable. Housing profoundly impacts many sectors of the economy, including workforce housing, construction, mortgage brokers, transportation, and heating and cooling, to name a few.
Housing: Creating Strong Community Foundations
In Vermont, housing stock continues to decline with a 1.65% decrease in new home construction since 2020. Over one-quarter of our state’s housing structures were built before 1940, while a mere 0.5% of Vermont’s housing stock was built after 2014.
These statistics signal an alarming near halt in new development and construction, and underscore the urgent need for new residential structures.
VBSR is poised to collaborate with lawmakers, environmentalists and municipalities to thoughtfully revise ACT 250. Our goal is to harness this tool for strategic housing growth in downtown centers across Vermont.
Want to Get Involved?
Reach out to our Public Policy Manager, Johanna de Graffenreid, at johannad@vbsr.org.
Addressing the Economic Impact of Housing Shortages
The scarcity of adequate housing in Vermont costs both employers and employees. The struggle to find accessible and affordable housing can lead households to seek employment elsewhere, often due to long commutes or expensive markets. In response, employers must offer more competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain employees, alongside increased turnover costs.
VBSR will advocate for state and federal investment to increase Vermont’s housing stock and bolster access to housing for low-to-moderate-income Vermonters. Given the extensive housing shortages, a combined effort from the public, private and philanthropic sectors is essential to address this challenge effectively.
Advocating for Community-Based Solutions
Our commitment also extends to creating new supports that enable communities to establish and fund local housing trusts, enhance existing homes through weatherization and push for zoning and tax reforms. Ultimately, ensuring every Vermonter is housed.
Advancing Healthcare Reform: A 30-Year Mission of VBSR
For over 30 years, VBSR has been at the forefront of advocating for healthcare reform. Addressing issues of equity and funding in our healthcare system remains a critical priority. All Vermonters must have access to affordable and reliable healthcare, with the ultimate goal of severing the link between insurance and employment.
This shift will allow VBSR businesses to excel in what they do best – expanding operations, creating jobs and increasing the wages of hard-working Vermonters.
Healthcare: Balancing Economics and Wellbeing
Employers help carry the burden of rising costs and poor health outcomes. In 2024, a significant challenge arises as health insurance plans, available through Vermont Health Connect, have been granted the ability to significantly increase premiums for individuals and small employers, exacerbating the struggle to afford coverage.
Few policy decisions would transform economic development and quality of life like that of a universal, publicly funded healthcare system. This progressive change would not only improve the quality of life but also bolster economic development in Vermont. By untethering healthcare from employment, we can unlock new economic opportunities for both employees and business owners.
Proactive Steps for a Healthier Vermont
Vermont’s path forward involves diligently working to reduce waste in our healthcare system, addressing racial and class disparities, and prioritizing primary and preventive care. A significant step in this direction is establishing a Universal Primary Care system – a move that would redefine healthcare accessibility in our state.