We are pleased to announce that construction is underway on Reid Commons, bringing 33 new energy-efficient, affordable apartments for adults 55 and older to St. Albans. Located at 17 Lower Newton Street, Reid Commons will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments with a range of rents to serve a mixed-income community. Federal, state, and local officials gathered this week to celebrate the momentous occasion, over a decade in the works. Reid Commons will be our 29th affordable housing community and is expected to be complete by July 2025.
The 2024 legislative session was marked by a need for significant investment in housing, education financing, and flood recovery, among others, and limited existing resources. Cathedral Square’s top three legislative priorities, which included the need for additional investments in housing, services, long-term care and SASH, were impacted by the resource-scarce environment of the 2024 session. The outcomes on our priorities were mixed with some progress made but much more work to be done as we embark on planning for next year’s priorities!
Kim Fitzgerald, CEO of Cathedral Square, said the Reid Commons project, located within the Fonda Site, will help ensure older residents in St. Albans have access to affordable housing where their needs are met. "We are thrilled to start construction soon on Reid Commons, which will bring 33 new affordable homes to those 55 and older in St. Albans. Our older adult population is growing, and there is a significant need for affordable, safe, accessible housing with on-site services. Programs like the 10% in Vermont program are an important piece in helping us deliver permanently affordable housing like Reid Commons."
The Vermont Housing & Conservation Coalition (VHCC) is hosting its annual Legislative Day at the State House in Montpelier on Wednesday, February 14 and we hope you will join us! This is an opportunity for you to speak directly with your elected officials about why affordable housing is important to you. Several of our staff will be there throughout the day to help you connect with your legislators and share your story. And there will be ice cream!
Dr. Susan McMillan, Peg Maffitt, and Patricia Pomerleau have been named to the Board of Directors for Cathedral Square. “We are thrilled to welcome these three highly accomplished Vermonters to our dedicated team of leaders,” says Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald. “They each bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization. Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to community well-being align seamlessly with our mission to provide quality, service-enriched, and affordable homes for older Vermonters and people with diverse needs.”
I was delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Burlington with so many others whose lives have been positively impacted by the church’s strong social mission. It was a great opportunity for me to reflect on the history of Cathedral Square and the connection we will always have with St. Paul’s. In fact, we wouldn’t be here today without them!
Cathedral Square and Evernorth announced today that construction has begun on Kelley’s Field II, 24 new energy-efficient affordable apartments for adults 55 and older in Hinesburg. Situated next to Kelley’s Field I, Kelley’s Field II is the second phase in the larger Kelley’s Field development project and will offer 24 energy-efficient apartments with a mix of affordable and market-rate rents. The building is being constructed to Efficiency Vermont’s “High Performance” standard for energy efficiency, and rents include heat, air conditioning, electricity, hot water, and laundry.
Cathedral Square’s top three legislative priorities fared well after a tumultuous end to the 2023 legislative session. Increases include Medicaid reimbursement rates and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) base budget, plus one-time funding to continue the SASH for All pilot and invest in housing production and rehabilitation. None of these priorities would have been realized without working with partner organizations through coalitions such as the Long-Term Care Crisis Coalition, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, and the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, to name a few.
Cathedral Square’s Bayview Crossing community in South Hero received a Welcome to the Neighborhood Award at Vermont Housing & Conservation Board’s 35th anniversary celebration earlier this month. The award was presented to Cathedral Square, Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources (CIDER), and the Town of South Hero for “your extraordinary dedication over many years to develop housing in the Lake Champlain Islands."
Age Strong Vermont serves as a roadmap for state agencies and lawmakers, business owners, social service agencies, town and city planners, and the healthcare industry to build a coordinated and efficient system of services over the long-term, with the overarching goal of enhancing and securing the right for all Vermonters to age safely and happily, with dignity and respect.
