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There are things we have worked on, sometimes for years, without success.
At least yet.
Most important is a 13-year effort to get serious enforcement of building, fire and health codes governing rental housing. We began this effort in Brattleboro, but for eleven years have been working with others for statewide legislation. Code enforcement in Vermont is a state  responsibility, but state government has lacked adequate care and funding. It’s an effort we’ll continue – because it’s essential to the preservation of our existing housing and reduction of our fire death rate. But the effort needs more help. If you’re interested, please let us know.
We’ve also worked unsuccessfully to devise an alternative to Rent-A-Center, Aaron’s and other purveyors of “rent-to-own” furniture, electronics and appliances to poor people. They aren’t directly in the housing business, but their sales practices and interest rates regularly undermine people’s efforts to get securely housed. There needs to be a better way to serve poor people’s need for these things. But, because other stores won’t extend credit to this population and don’t want to be in the business of repossession, we’ve found no alternative yet. Meanwhile, we are trying to a) educate the public about the rent-to-own industry, and b) bring the industry under effective state and federal regulation. For information about those efforts see “Predatory Business on Main Street.”
We would eagerly welcome your ideas about how to improve the housing situation! (Contact Us)
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