Executive Director Update: January 2026

Dear Friends,

Downstreet has just closed one of the busiest and most impactful years in our history—and we’ve carried that momentum straight into the year ahead. Across Central Vermont, we are moving forward on projects and programs that respond directly to the urgency of the housing crisis, while also laying the groundwork for a more stable, equitable future for our communities.
 
Housing challenges are complex, and at Downstreet we meet them with a comprehensive, people-centered approach rooted in the belief that housing is foundational to opportunity, dignity, and belonging. Creating new single- and multi-family homes is the most visible part of our work, but it’s only one piece of a much larger effort. We also expand pathways to homeownership, preserve existing housing, help people remain safely housed through services and supports, and provide temporary shelter and essential resources to people experiencing homelessness.
 
This work is made possible by a shared commitment to something bigger than any one project: a Central Vermont where permanent affordability is the norm, where people can put down roots in the communities they love, and where housing supports—not limits—health, resilience, and opportunity. I am deeply grateful to our staff, partners, and supporters who make this vision real, and I look forward to what we will continue to build together in the year ahead.

Downstreet's New Strategic Plan 2026-2028

In December 2025, Downstreet adopted a new 3-year Strategic Plan that centers people and strengthens community. It also reflects who we are and who we are becoming: an organization grounded in the belief that every person deserves the stability of a safe, affordable home. The plan focuses our work where we can have the greatest impact—expanding and protecting permanently affordable housing, strengthening the experience of residents and homeowners, and investing in the people and systems that make this work possible.

Looking ahead, the Strategic Plan charts a clear and realistic path through an increasingly complex housing landscape. By strengthening our housing portfolio, deepening community partnerships, and building long-term financial and organizational resilience, we are positioning Downstreet to meet today’s urgent needs while shaping a stronger future. Together, we’re working toward a Central Vermont where permanent affordability is the norm and communities are more stable, equitable, and connected.

We invite you to read the Strategic Plan in full at the link and learn more about Downstreet's commitments and goals.

Warmly,
Angie Harbin
Executive Director