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Housing Commission
Meetings
- 12:00-1:00 p.m.
- 1st Tuesday of each month
- Town Offices
81 Main Street
Downstairs Conference Room
Essex Junction, VT 05452 - From a computer or mobile device, use the meeting link and choose the option for your web browser (Chrome recommended) or the Zoom app (download from Zoom). For general instructions on using Zoom, see this document.
- Call in with a phone to 1-888-788-0099 and use the Meeting ID 826 0584 5588# and the Passcode 766054
- Public wifi is available at the Essex municipal offices, libraries, and at hotspots mapped by the VT Public Service Dept.
- Meetings are available to watch on our Town of Essex YouTube channel following the meeting.
Agendas and Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Draft minutes are available after the meetings, and full minutes are available after approval.
View most recent agendas and minutes
Mission
The mission of the Housing Commission is to help ensure that any resident (or aspiring resident) of Essex has access to a home that:
- Is affordable (generally no more than 30% of household income is spent on housing);
- Is a desirable type and size for their household;
- Is located with easy access to basic needs (jobs, schools, food, health care, and cultural experiences) via walking, biking, or public transit;
- Is of sufficient quality to ensure the health, safety, and enjoyment of its residents;
- Meets residents’ special needs, including senior care, ADA-accessibility, recovery housing, and housing for people who are homeless, etc.; and
- Is made available regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, pregnancy, disability, or status of citizenship, family, and military service.
Purpose
The Commission advises the Selectboard and other municipal boards and committees on the housing needs of the community, including review and consultation of policy and zoning changes related to housing. The Commission maintains and analyzes the community’s demographic and housing stock information and provides periodic updates on housing issues to elected officials. The Commission also works to educate the public on housing topics and develops partnerships with developers, non-profits, state agencies, and social service organizations to advance the community’s housing goals.
Commission Membership
The Commission is composed of up to five members appointed by the Selectboard. Each member shall serve a staggered three-year term with no term limit. In appointing Commission members, the Selectboard should select members who represent a variety of relevant interests and backgrounds, including but not limited to: for-profit and non-profit housing developers; housing authorities and agencies; social services organizations; representatives of area businesses; and at-large members of the community. Of the five members, three shall be residents; for the remaining members, residency is preferred but not required. The Commission shall receive staff support from the Community Development Department and other departments as needed.
State Municipal Code of Ethics
Commission Members
Anna Brouillette, Chair
Lauren Ressue, Vice Chair
Carolyn Ellenberger, Clerk
Noah Detzer
Lois Whitmore
Contact
Staff Representative to the Housing Commission
Brittany McGregor, Planning Technician
802-878-1343, community-development@essex.org
Mail or in person at the Town Offices, 81 Main Street
All comments from the public must be received by 9:00 am the Friday before a meeting to be included in the Reading File of the Housing Commission Packet. In the case of a holiday/office closure on the Friday before a Housing Commission meeting, comments are due Thursday before 9:00 am. Any comments received after the deadline will be included in the Reading File for the next meeting. Meetings are open to the public, and we encourage you to attend in person if you have comments.