March Newsletter: Basically All Vermonters Want More Housing

A new statewide poll of 404 registered voters has been released by our friends at Let’s Build Homes. It underscores just how central housing has become to Vermont’s future. The poll finds near-unanimous agreement that Vermont does not have enough homes that average people can afford; nearly 90% say there is “not enough” housing. Housing now clearly outranks other issues on voters minds: 49% name “the cost and availability of housing” as a top issue, ahead of taxes (39%), healthcare costs (38%), and jobs (16%).

Vermonters also see the cost of housing as a serious and widespread problem. 93% say the cost of renting or buying a home is at least somewhat of a problem and 68% say it is a major problem, including roughly two-thirds or more of every age group and region. The consequences are deeply personal: 60% report that housing costs have negatively affected their ability to rent or purchase a home; 54% say it has hurt their ability to save for retirement; and about half say it has limited where they can live or made it harder to afford basic needs like groceries and medications. Younger Vermonters are especially affected, with much higher rates of reporting negative impacts across nearly every measure.

Importantly, the poll shows Vermonters rejecting the false choices that have often framed this debate. By a 76%–21% margin, voters say it is more important to build more homes so working people can afford to live here than to “protect communities from change.” At the same time, 8 in 10 believe Vermont can build more homes and protect the environment by focusing new housing in and near existing communities rather than in far flung woodland areas.

It was also clear that Vermonters want immediate action, with three in four voters saying it is important for the Legislature to take action on housing this year, including 47% who say it is extremely important, and that sentiment is strong across party lines. The Legislature has taken meaningful steps in recent years, but this new data makes clear that Vermonters do not believe the work is done.

Campaign for Vermont will continue to advocate for data-driven, transparent policy solutions, such as addressing implementation challenges with Act 181 and supporting tools that allow responsible growth in and around our existing communities, so that we can expand housing supply, protect our environment, and strengthen the long-term economic security of Vermonters.

On behalf of Vermonters,

Pat McDonald
Campaign for Vermont

		House Education Testimony We presented our research and recommendations to the House Education Committee on restructuring Supervisory Unions into regional Education Service Agencies to create scale, align Career & Technical Education with PreK–12, and generate education-system savings. Watch Testimony
Let's Build Homes Releases Poll Let's Build Homes commissioned a statewide poll of Vermont voters earlier this month, and the results confirm what our coalition has long known: Vermonters across the political spectrum are ready for action on housing. See Poll
		Terminating the School PCB Testing Program (H.542) The bill would end the State’s current broad program of indoor air testing for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Vermont schools while clarifying when the State will pay for PCB investigation and cleanup at schools that already tested positive. Read Overview & Analysis
Reference-Based Pricing and Other Health Care Reforms (S.190) S.190 seeks to enhance state oversight of healthcare costs and improve financial transparency within Vermont’s hospital system, healthcare reform, hospital budget regulation, and consumer protection. Read our Overview & Analysis
		Updating Definitions of Lobbying Advertisements (H.686) H.686, seeks to expand and modernize the scope of disclosure and identification requirements for lobbying-related advertisements in Vermont by broadening the definitions of "advertisement" and "lobbying," removing session-based timing limitations on disclosure, and updating statutory language to be technology-neutral, affecting lobbying regulation, campaign transparency, and public communications policy. Read our Overview & Analysis
Vermont's Transportation Fund Hole Pat interviews Matt Cota of Meadow Hill Consulting about Vermont transportation funding, education funding, climate policy, and the challenges of housing, taxes, and electric vehicle mandates in the state. Watch Vote for Vermont Episode
		"Big Beautiful Bill" Impacts on Vermont Pat sits down for a wide-ranging, conversation with State Rep. Mark Higley about fiscal policy, education funding, tax structure, infrastructure, and the political challenges facing the Ways and Means Committee. Watch Vote for Vermont Episode
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News Worth Reading:

Our top picks of local must-read news this month.

1. Gov. Scott signs Vermont’s midyear budget increase of $111 million - VT Digger
2. Vermont voters approve 82% of school budgets, despite property tax implications - Vermont Public
3. Senator’s school consolidation proposal would allow 2-year period for voluntary mergers - VT Digger
4. Vermont lawmakers remain divided over future of education reform - Vermont Public
5. Vermont Senate President Phil Baruth says he won’t run for reelection - VT Digger
6. Blue Cross of Vermont Rebounds After Near Collapse - Seven Days
7. Vermont seeks to join 5 states in drug-purchasing consortium - VT Digger
8. Vermont legislators elect Henry ‘Hank’ Harder to lead state’s National Guard - VT Digger
9. Proposed Ethics Reform Expands Disclosure — But Research Suggests Transparency Alone May Not Change Behavior - Compass Vermont
10. Vermont’s School Enrollment Is Dropping at an Alarming Rate - Seven Days
11. Vermont's new education reform law faces legal challenge over reduced school choice - Vermont Public
12. Gov. Scott appoints Jack Brigham to the Vermont House - VT Digger

Recently Completed Research & Policy Proposals:

• Wealth Migration Report - Published December 11, 2024
• Education Spending & Outcomes Report - Published December 30, 2024
• A Pathway to Viable Education Reform - Published March 7, 2025
• Letter to Education Reform Conference Committee - Sent June 6, 2025
• Review of Yale Report on Effectiveness of Act 46 - Published July 22, 2025
• Letter to Act 73 Task Force - Sent August 12, 2025
• Finding Savings Through Shared Services in Vermont - Published November 10, 2025

Campaign for Vermont's mission is to advocate for public policy changes by reconnecting middle-class Vermonters to their government.