Supporting Housing
Supporting Community Housing Needs
Stowe Land Trust recognizes the need for year-round community housing for residents and workers in the Mount Mansfield Valley and views housing shortages as a community conservation issue. We are committed to being one of many entities—along with municipalities, other nonprofits, and private businesses—that supports local housing initiatives that align with our core mission.
With the help of partners, we support the creation of community housing in the following ways:
Strategic Land Protection & Partnerships
Conservation is about more than protecting land—it's about creating healthy places for people and animals to thrive. While our mission remains laser focused on land protection, we also recognize that affordable housing is an important part of our valley’s vitality.
When a project emerges that can deliver both housing and conservation outcomes, we partner with housing-specific organizations, such as Downstreet Housing & Community Development and Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, to serve the community and meet dual objectives. Other strategic partners include municipalities, regional planning commissions, and Habitat for Humanity. We also seek to build new strategic partnerships with other entities, such as private developers, investors, businesses, and new organizations focused on community housing development.
Through these collaborations, Stowe Land Trust can fulfill its conservation mission while being responsive to community needs and values.
Read our Strategic Conservation Plan
Explore two recent dual-outcome conservation and housing projects:
- Muddy Moose: 150 acres of protected forest with 8 renovated shared equity, single-family homes for full-time residents.
- Stagecoach Meadows: 115 acres of protected forest with single-family homes for full-time residents.
For Landowners: Protecting Your Land
Support for Town Planning, Zoning Amendments & Redevelopment of Land
We recognize the importance of municipal Town Plans and zoning regulations and support town policies and zoning amendments that incentivize compact settlement patterns and the creation of more community housing in designated growth areas. It is committed to strengthening coordination with the Stowe Conservation Commission and Stowe Planning Commission on master town planning and engaging in conversations about workforce and local housing solutions. In particular, Stowe Land Trust also supports identifying already developed properties that would be suitable for redevelopment as community housing in these growth areas.
Interested in Donating or Selling Your Property for Housing & Conservation? Contact Us Today!