Burlington details progress on three-part housing plan

Affordability programs

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced progress Wednesday on a three-part housing strategy launched in January 2026. The plan focuses on updating existing affordability programs, enabling smaller housing projects in neighborhoods and using city authority, land and resources to support housing.

The first part covers inclusionary zoning and the Housing Trust Fund. Inclusionary zoning has produced approximately 400 affordable units within new developments over 35 years, while the trust fund has supported about 2,200 affordable homes. The administration wants to double the number of affordable units produced through the two programs over the next decade.

Proposed inclusionary-zoning changes intended to increase permanently affordable housing are expected to go before the City Council and Planning Commission later in 2026. Starting July 1, 2026, the city also directed 9% of its short-term rental tax revenue to the Housing Trust Fund. The fund can help preserve and create affordable homes and assist residents experiencing housing instability.

Neighborhood housing and public assets

The strategy’s second part uses Burlington’s Neighborhood Code, a 2024 zoning overhaul that opened routes for duplexes, triplexes, four-unit buildings, accessory dwelling units and cottage courts. Since its adoption, the city has received approximately 45 applications proposing roughly 70 housing units.

The third part calls for Burlington to take a more active role in housing through city powers, property and other resources. Mulvaney-Stanak presented the update at 68 Sears Lane, the site of the South End Coordinated Redevelopment project, which the city identifies as a public-private development partnership.

The three-part strategy supports Burlington’s goal of adding approximately 7,000 housing units by 2050, the city’s planned share of statewide housing growth goals. Vermont Business Magazine published details of the announcement.