Upper Valley forum to focus on affordable housing

Vital Communities program looks to discuss challenges, options

A Business Leaders Housing Breakfast, called to discuss solutions to the Upper Valley’s affordable housing shortage, will be held Oct. 26 in Hanover.

The event, presented by the organization Vital Communities, will feature a presentation by Dartmouth College geographer Garrett Dash Nelson, who will discuss the regional nature of the housing challenge and possibilities for change. 

Also to be featured will be an overview of the Upper Valley home purchase and rental markets by Buff McLaughry of Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty and Lynne LaBombard of Housing Solutions Real Estate. 

In addition, attendees will be encouraged to participate in a planning meeting in the next three months.

“Vital Communities’ effort to advance affordable housing options, including workforce housing, makes a difference to those in the Upper Valley,” said Teri Minelli, vice president and mortgage loan originator at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, which is sponsoring the breakfast along with the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. “The housing breakfast is an outstanding opportunity to educate business leaders on the challenges being faced throughout the region.” 

The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Fireside Inn & Suites, West Lebanon. For more information, visit vitalcommunities.org.