Housing Development Projects

Together with the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network (CVRAN), we completed the rehabilitation of a five-bedroom permanently affordable home that welcomed a family of nine from Afghanistan. This project marks a significant milestone in providing stable and sustainable housing for refugees in the Montpelier area. 

The journey to transform the project into a welcoming home for a family seeking refuge began with a shared vision of creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. Through the collaborative efforts of Downstreet and CVRAN, along with the generous support from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB), the Montpelier Housing Trust Fund, the Montpelier Community Fund, Capstone Community Action, the Vermont Community Foundation, and individual donors, this vision has become a reality.

Downstreet and Vermont Foundation of Recovery (VFOR) partnered to create a recovery residence in Central Vermont for women with children: Foundation House.

The original building, built in the early 1900s, was re-configured to create two individual apartments on the first floor and one multi-floor communal living apartment that can house up to four families of varying sizes. A shared common space was created to provide a family-like atmosphere in the home — one where the members are nurtured and energized by others who share common experiences, struggles, values, and goals. The scope of the project also included historic restoration, weatherization, and energy efficiency upgrades.

Circle and the Department of Children and Families were very involved in the choice of the site, the renovation designs, and the development of the program operations manual. Vermont Foundation of Recovery will operate Foundation House and local service providers, including the Turning Point Center and Washington County Mental Health Services, will provide support for the families who live there.

Photography © 2022 Sally McCay Photography. All rights reserved.

We redeveloped the existing motel office and units, as well as the single-family house on site to serve as a hub for those seeking housing services. The six cottages were replaced with a brand-new nine-unit building. The first level of the house was converted to a welcome center and provides space for supportive services and administrative offices for Good Samaritan Haven, while the second level of the house offers additional shelter units. Overall, the project includes 35 new shelter beds.

Photography by Cara Hansen.

We know that housing is not one-size-fits-all. So, we partnered with Norwich University’s Design + Build Collaborative and Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) to create safe, healthy, and sustainable homes for Vermonters with unique housing needs. Norwich architecture professors Tolya Stonorov and Danny Sagan led a group of students in designing and building the homes to meet the specific needs of residents who are unable to thrive in traditional apartment buildings. Upon completion, Norwich shared the construction documents so the design can be used for future buildings.

The two homes are located on a lot that was generously donated to Downstreet, and are adjacent to another Downstreet property, which was converted into two apartments to support the same vulnerable populations. Housing vouchers and capital funding provided by the Vermont Department of Mental Health are paired with the dwellings in order to serve individuals who have mental health challenges and/or are at high risk of homelessness or are currently experiencing homelessness. The site was intentionally chosen for its proximity to localized support and resources, specifically with a WCMHS clinical office only .5 miles away.

See video of the Tiny Homes

Photography and video production by Cara Hansen.

Downstreet partnered with the City of Montpelier and Housing Vermont to complete Taylor Street Apartments and Montpelier Transit Center. The project constructed 30 new apartments of housing co-located with the City’s new transit center. The property offers six studios, eighteen 1-bedroom apartments, and six 2-bedroom apartments. 19-apartments are dedicated to low-to-middle-income earning individuals and families, with 11 apartments being less restrictive up to 120% Area Medium Income.

Sitting atop the new multi-modal transit center, Taylor Street Apartments is a leader in transportation efficient housing. The City of Montpelier led the planning, permitting and environmental clean-up to prepare this property adjacent to the Winooski River for development. The state’s Housing Revenue Bond combined with housing tax credits and other public resources made it possible for Downstreet Housing & Community Development and Housing Vermont to purchase the development rights to the apartments, after other market-rate developers were unable to proceed.

Photography © 2019 Ryan Bent Photography. All rights reserved.

Downstreet Housing and Community Development and Housing Vermont partnered to rejuvenate the French Block Apartments. This project involved the redevelopment of the two floors above Aubuchon Hardware into 18 affordable apartments. Constructed in 1875, the historic French Block is the longest commercial block in downtown Montpelier. For nearly 80 years, the apartments on the second and third floors remained vacant. The project created new floor plans, essentially building new, highly efficient apartments while retaining existing historic features. The French Block Apartments offers two studio and 16 one-bedroom apartments. 

Photography © 2019 Sally McCay Photography. All rights reserved.

Built in 1850, the building located at 12 Stowe Street in Waterbury’s historic downtown was renovated in 1993 to serve as housing for residents who are aged 55+ and/or disabled. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the State Register.

The project in 2019  extended the property’s useful life for at least 20 years, with a large focus on resident safety, resident quality of life, and energy efficiency.

Work performed:

• windows replaced
• mechanical upgrade to pellet heat system
• interior upgrades
• energy efficiency upgrades in rental units
• SASH office moved to the second floor to provide more space and easier access for residents
• exterior paint
• accessible access to dumpster
• upgrades to current accessibility codes

See the Virtual Grand Opening Video

Photography and video production by Cara Hansen.

Downstreet was hired as the developer for The Clara Martin Center's project to convert a historic building that had remained vacant for 15 years into a multi-purpose building that included affordable housing, program, and office space. 

The project involved the redevelopment of a 4,400 square foot historic building to create four updated, energy-efficient one-bedroom affordable apartments, an office, and program space. The renovated apartments are targeted for individuals who are homeless and have a mental illness and will provide permanent housing with the services and case management supports of the Clara Martin Center. The meeting space will be utilized by the Clara Martin Center staff and clients as needed and for larger group offerings or community meetings.

Photos courtesy gbA Architecture.

Winooski River Apartments consists of three historic buildings (11 Bailey Avenue, 15 Baldwin Street, and 37 Barre Street) located in Montpelier. The project included 15 affordable apartments and commercial retail space. The scope of work included structural reinforcement, weatherization, energy efficiency, and ADA additions.

As a result of the work completed, the 3 properties have been rehabilitated such that they will be affordable to Vermonters in perpetuity, any potential hazards (lead and asbestos) have been mitigated, the useful life of the buildings has been extended by at least 20 years, and the energy efficiency of all three buildings has been significantly improved.

Photography © 2018 Sally McCay.

The Colonial Village project consisted of rehabilitating of 21 apartments across 4 buildings in Bradford Village, Vermont. The buildings were a combination of senior and family housing and were existing affordable housing before Downstreet purchased the apartments in 2015 in order to preserve the affordability and rehabilitate this housing. The project was extensive, including relocating all of the tenants at Colonial Village to comparable accommodations in order to make the buildings accessible for renovations. In full, the project was a success in preserving the project-based subsidy element of the properties; rehabilitating the properties such that they will be affordable in perpetuity; extended the useful life of the buildings for at least 20 years, and increased operational and energy efficiency across the board.

Photography © Sally McCay. All rights reserved.

The historic brick building originally built by Dr. Horace Fales in the mid-1800 was purchased by the state hospital in 1895 to house convalescent patients and staff. Since that time it functioned as a component of the State Hospital Complex and later the State Office Complex. In 1951, the rear addition was constructed as a dorm for staff nurses. The historic building and addition were renamed Ladd Hall in honor of Dr. Henry Ladd.

On August 28, 2011 Tropical Storm Irene brought torrential downpours of rain and historic flooding to Vermont. The storm stranded thousands behind washed out roads, destroyed dozens of homes, and changed the landscape of Vermont. Waterbury sustained heavy flooding and severe damage, which qualified the town to receive federal funds for recovery and rebuilding. It is, in part, these funds which made the South Main Apartments project possible.

Downstreet and Housing Vermont partnered to renovate the historic portion of Ladd Hall in order to preserve the historic character of the building. The 1951 addition was demolished and a new three-story addition, together with the historic Ladd Hall portion, now provides 27 new rental units. The South Main Apartments project was awarded LEED certification for its energy efficiency, building envelope and healthy home design.

Photography © Sally McCay. All rights reserved.

Together with Housing Vermont (now Evernorth) Downstreet developed new headquarter offices in the heart of downtown Barre City, with three stories of affordable apartments above for a total of 27 units. The ground floor includes a 2,000 square foot community space with full kitchen, seating area, and conference room with A/V equipment.

To make this project possible, three existing building were demolished, and 19 households were temporarily relocated while construction took place. The resulting 4-story building totals 33,970 square feet and includes an outdoor green space with granite sculpture by Barre sculptor George Kurjanowicz.

Photography © 2015 Susan Teare Photography. All rights reserved.