Breaking Ground on Marsh House

It was standing room only as the Waterbury community celebrated the groundbreaking of Marsh House Apartments. Co-owners and co-developers, Evernorth and Downstreet Housing and Community Development partnered on Marsh House Apartments which will provide essential housing for 26 low- and moderate-income households in Waterbury, Vermont. 

Marsh House Apartments is the new construction of a three-story building with 26 energy efficient, permanently affordable apartments for families ideally situated in the heart of downtown Waterbury. Three of the apartments will be reserved for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and five of the apartments will be reserved for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Downstreet partners with Upper Valley Services and the Good Samaritan Haven to provide individualized support and services for these residents.  

These new homes would not have possible if not for the citizens of Waterbury and Town officials’ strong support for the creation of new housing within the downtown.

“The communities of Central Vermont are in desperate need of more housing,” said Angie Harbin, Downstreet Executive Director. “Marsh House Apartments is a critical part of the solution that will provide safe, stable homes for families, workers for local employers, kids for local schools, and people for the local community. Downstreet is grateful to be part of the collective effort that made this project possible.”

“The development of Marsh House Apartments exemplifies how strong collaboration between nonprofit developers, municipalities, local residents and state and federal partners can create lasting positive change in our communities.” said Kathy Beyer, Senior Vice President for Real Estate Development at Evernorth. “Marsh House is also addressing climate change, by electrifying our building, instead of using fossil fuels, we will avoid the emission of over 72 tons of CO2 annually.” 

"Housing is essential to the strength and vitality of our community. The Town of Waterbury is proud to support this project, and to have provided funding from the Town's American Rescue Plan Act allocation to support its construction.” said  Alyssa Johnson, Chair of Waterbury Select Board. “We are grateful to Downstreet and Evernorth for their partnership in creating housing opportunities in Waterbury, and we look forward to welcoming neighbors to their new homes in our community."  

“The Edward Farrar Utility District residents arc excited to see the start of the Marsh House construction to complete the vision of affordable housing that resulted in the District making this property available to help meet a need in the Town Plan. It is an honor to have the project named Marsh House to recognize Waterbury’s first settler “James Marsh” who arrived here in the spring of 1783.” said Skip Flanders, Chair, Edward Farrar Utility District. “Thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this critical resource to Waterbury to benefit future generations.”  

Construction is expected to be completed in May of 2026.