Executive Director Update: August 2026

Dear Friends, 

I was looking at my calendar recently when I realized I was in the middle of a summer of celebration.
 
Downstreet's work is hard, and it often takes years to see a project come to fruition. That's why I'm so grateful we take time to celebrate milestones. And they aren't just ours—they belong to our partners, the people we serve, and everyone in our beloved Central Vermont communities.
 
And this year has brought us so much to celebrate: grand openings for eight single-family homes in Morrisville and 26 new apartment homes in Waterbury, completion of construction and rehabilitation at the Speranza Inn in Barre and Hamesbest in Randolph, an upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for Stevens Branch Apartments in Barre, and many other events that remind us how much is possible when communities come together.
 
One of my favorite memories came during Waterbury's Not Quite Independence Day Parade. Downstreet marched in the parade representing 1968, the year the Fair Housing Act was signed into law. As we passed Marsh House on South Main Street—our newest completed apartment building—the front porch was filled with residents enjoying a beautiful summer day in their new homes. It was a simple scene, but one I'll remember for a long time.

 
The people we serve at Downstreet are our friends, family members, neighbors, and fellow community members. Some have struggled for years to find safe, stable housing. Others are teachers, nurses, mental health counselors, restaurant workers, grocery store employees, and small business staff who simply need an affordable place to live. They may be working, raising families, aging in place, recovering from illness, exiting homelessness, or pursuing an education. We are honored that our work helps make all of that possible by creating places people are proud to call home.
 
When we celebrate at Downstreet, we're celebrating more than new buildings. We're celebrating the security, opportunity, sense of belonging, and everyday moments that begin with home. Thank you for being part of it.
 
Warmly,
Angie Harbin
Executive Director