Press Releases and Cassandra HemenwaySurvey: What Kind of Housing Do You Want?
While the city of Montpelier is planning a survey to assess how people are accessing housing in the midst of an ongoing housing crisis, Montpelier architect and recently resigned member of the city Housing Committee, Sandy Vitzthum, has created her own.
“Montpelier and its surrounding areas need more housing, but we don’t know what kinds, how big, whom for, or other details. This unofficial survey will let you add your voice,” Vitzthum told The Bridge in an email. She said she will keep the survey open through June 1, and it’s open to anyone, “you don’t have to live in Montpelier.”
Vitzthum noted that as the city of Montpelier has focused on housing, “They’ve been saying that we need a lot more apartments than houses. But every time I talk to someone, they would rather own than rent. There are some people that prefer to rent, but not the majority, and not nearly all.”
In a recent email to Montpelier city councilors, Vitzthum noted that she’s received 132 responses as of May 17.
Some of the trends Vitzthum said she is already seeing is that nearly half of respondents already own their home now, but 80% would like to own.
“This means 33% of the respondents don’t own now but would like to,” she wrote.
She also noted that only 14% of respondents to date have said they want to live in a multi-family building without a dedicated yard, and that a walkable community is very important to 58% of respondents.
This survey is available online at tinyurl.com/localhousingsurveyvt or a paper version is available at the City Clerk’s office in Montpelier City Hall. The survey will end June 1, at 4:30 p.m., and results will be shared citywide, Vitzthum said.
Questions can be directed to Vitzthum at 802-223-1806.
—Cassandra Hemenway
Disaster Planning for Those with Disabilities
How do you plan for a disaster with a disability? The town of Plainfield’s Hazard Mitigation Committee and Emergency Management Team, as well as the town itself have teamed up to offer a workshop on the topic on June 1 at the Plainfield Town Hall at 18 High Street (U.S. Route 2) from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
The result of that partnership, “Disasters & Disabilities: Preparation, Evacuation, and Sheltering,” is a free public forum with workshops for households having persons with disabilities, chronic illness, or debilitating old age who want to be prepared for flood or fire evacuation and sheltering. It also offers preparation for caregivers and shelter workers.
Featured speakers include Jacque Kelley, emergency preparedness specialist with the Vermont Department of Health on the topic of “Preparing Your Household for Evacuation and Sheltering”; Kendra LaRoche, executive director of Special Needs Support Center, speaking about “Supporting Persons with Disabilities in a Public Shelter”; and Gary Gordon, emergency services coordinator for Washington County Mental Health, speaking about “Anxiety, Anger, and Hopelessness During a Disaster.”
The second half of the event will focus on workshops and problem-solving, in direct conversation about “Go Bags, Documentation and Resources for Fast Departure”; “Household Discussions to Plan Escape Routes and Destinations”; “How to Acknowledge Strong Feelings in Disaster Times”; “Strategies for Shelter Workers to Meet Special Needs and Disabilities”; “Talking Together and Working as a Household Disaster Team”; and “Public Disaster Notifications to Reach Persons with Disabilities.”
The Plainfield Town Hall is handicapped accessible, and there is a van-accessible drop-off zone in front of the building, with arrangements to safely move vehicles to the town lot across the street. For further information or to inquire about special arrangements, contact committee chair Maggie Baird or Plainfield Emergency Management Director at plainfieldvtem@gmail.com or leave a message at 802-595-2645.
—press release
