Community Development

Vermont’s hard-won experience from flooding taught a key lesson – no individual, business, organization, town or state agency can reduce flood vulnerabilities alone. Projects like the Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative (VERI) and other studies and related initiatives deepened partnerships and identified new opportunities advance an integrated, long-term strategy to:

Local, state and federal partners explored policy changes to safeguard residents from future flooding after Tropical Storm Irene, starting with a pilot in the Mad River Watershed, with help from the EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program.

Incorporating the lessons learned from past flooding to make communities safer, reduce the cost of future damage and protect vital areas of economic activity.

Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative (VERI) – steps to help communities plan for flooding and remain open for business after disaster strikes. 

Submissions to DHCD

For sending Plans and Bylaws to Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), only electronic submissions please:

The Vermont Village Greens Initiative is restoring appreciation for village greens and raising awareness about the important cultural and economic role they play. Vermont’s village greens (and commons) serve as the physical, historic and cultural heart of many communities, hosting concerts, fairs, parades, seasonal festivals and farmers markets.

The purpose of this manual is to provide a guide for municipal planning commissions in fulfilling their role and responsibilities as set forth in 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117, the Municipal and Regional Planning and Development Act. A major role of the municipal planning commission is to develop the municipal plan. The Planning Manual provides information that will help the planning commission with this complex task, from designing the planning program to adopting the plan.

Vermont's distinctive sense of place is tied to its primary land use planning goal: to plan development so as to maintain the historic settlement pattern of compact village and urban centers separated by rural countryside. Through collaboration with our partners the Department works to further these land use goals by developing programs that provide communities with needed tools and resources. Below are some of the programs and guidance that can help communities integrate land use planning with energy, housing, economic development and transportation options. 

Information about Vermont's housing and community development priorities can be found in the HUD Consolidated Plan.

The Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) is an independent board of Vermont citizens, nine appointed by the Governor and two appointed by the General Assembly. Additionally, there are two non-voting representatives from each region, one designated by the regional development corporation and one by the regional planning commission. The regional representatives serve in an advisory and advocacy role.