A Letter from our Executive Director

The last few years at Downstreet have been some of the most productive in our history. We've had real opportunities to expand affordable housing in Central Vermont—and we’ve taken every one. While the work continues full speed ahead, we’re now seeing many of those efforts come to life. It’s an exciting moment for our staff, our Board of Trustees, and most importantly, the residents and homeowners we serve.
 
This summer, we look forward to celebrating several milestones together: the grand opening of Fox Run Apartments in Berlin’s New Town Center, the completion of new apartments in Montpelier for refugees and asylum seekers, and the start of permanently affordable homes in Randolph for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
One initiative we’re especially proud of right now is our work at the Speranza Inn in Barre. We purchased the former Quality Inn this spring and began operating it as a 42-room homeless services hotel—a critical resource for people in crisis. The building is undergoing an occupied rehabilitation to meet modern health and safety standards. While most of the approximately $4 million project is publicly funded, we’ve launched a community fundraising effort to help close the final $300,000 gap. We’ll be sharing more soon and hope you’ll join us in supporting this essential work.
 
Another exciting development on the horizon is the upcoming merger between Downstreet and Lamoille Housing Partnership (LHP) in just a few months. Our incredible seven-person team in Lamoille County is already hard at work operating LHP and expanding access to housing and services in the region. This merger is more than a structural change—it’s a shared commitment to ensuring that affordable housing is available and supported everywhere throughout Central Vermont.
  
All of these projects reflect the heart of Downstreet’s mission—safe, stable housing for everyone, regardless of income or background. Thank you, as always, for being part of this work.

With gratitude,

Angie Harbin
Executive Director