Brattleboro, VT – Windham & Windsor Housing Trust and its co-developer, Evernorth have received a $6.2 million funding boost from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to redevelop the historic Chalet property in West Brattleboro.
The planned redevelopment of the Chalet property will preserve the original Chalet building and create a new neighborhood with a mix of housing types and architectural features. The conceptual design was informed by residents currently living at the Chalet and in the immediate neighborhood, along with municipal staff and staff at Groundworks Collaborative, WWHT’s service partner.
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust acquired the hotel and partnered with Groundworks Collaborative in 2020 as an emergency response to community need during the pandemic. Light rehab was done to establish an immediately available resource for people experiencing chronic homelessness, with an eye toward future redevelopment.
“We are grateful for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board’s support and commitment to the development of more affordable housing here in Southeastern Vermont,” says Elizabeth Bridgewater, WWHT’s Executive Director. “This funding allows us to continue moving forward with our vision of transforming the Chalet property into a vibrant, sustainable neighborhood with affordability for households earning a range of incomes, and new housing opportunities for our community while taking a meaningful step in reducing Brattleboro’s dire housing shortage.”
The project design includes single family homes for homeownership, townhouses for rental opportunities, new multi-family rental buildings and a community space in the iconic Chalet building which will be renovated with many of its historic features remaining intact. Fifteen homes will be designated as Permanent Supportive Housing, offering a stable environment for people exiting homelessness. The construction of 70 homes in total will move forward in four phases, beginning in late 2025. Once completed, the Chalet property is expected to contribute over $100k annually in taxes to the Town of Brattleboro. Funding for the Chalet Redevelopment project is a public, private partnership.
For more information about WWHT or the Chalet Redevelopment project, visit www.homemattershere.org/chalet-redevelopment/.
About WWHT
WWHT’s mission is to strengthen the communities of southeast Vermont through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable housing and through ongoing support and advocacy for its residents. WWHT builds concrete solutions to the region’s housing challenges, and provides better housing opportunities to more than 1,500 Southeastern Vermonters each year.
About Evernorth
Evernorth is a nonprofit organization serving the low and moderate income people of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont with affordable housing and community investments. Evernorth has raised and deployed over $1B in equity capital for affordable housing and built more than 16,000 affordable homes and apartments for low and moderate income people across northern New England. Learn more at www.evernorthUS.org.
