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headgasketidiot t1_j727xju wrote

Build public housing. Ban Airbnbs.

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Mr-Bovine_Joni t1_j72xbqs wrote

Literally just building more market rate housing and this will improve in time

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Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_j73r5hd wrote

My understanding is once you get through the NIMBY Act 250 lawsuits, the only feasible build is Mc Mansions.

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ThisIsSabby t1_j73x9dg wrote

Between the subdivision restrictions of Act 250, wastewater permitting, and town zoning, it’s much easier (legally-speaking) to build a vacation house on 10 acres of pristine woods than it is to build missing middle housing in town and village centers. The irony is that this encourages and incentivizes sprawl as people build further afield, have big lot sizes (for non-ag use), and clear cut forest to establish views.

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Necessary_Cat_4801 t1_j73xz4a wrote

Exactly. And expecting the cranks in Montpelier to understand that, let alone fix it, is crazy, in my opinion.

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Dangerous_Mention_15 t1_j74q2oc wrote

Exactly. The solution is staring the politicians in the face and they keep reaching for something else.

Why AirBnB? What else does Vermont have to offer? It's like a Yankee theme park of failing farms and few jobs.

Affordable housing is being able to purchase a house using a conventional loan on the open market. Income x 3-4 will be your max price. Reducing regulations and allowing for higher density housing (which allows for municipal water, sewer, and gas as well as cheaper electricity connections) will all shift the cost curve down. Even a sales tax reduction will save (e.g. Williston VT has a total sales tax of 7% vs NH where those same materials would be ~7% cheaper).

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