HCR 131

R-155  Page 1 of 1
2025
No. R-155. House concurrent resolution congratulating Westgate Housing Inc. of
Brattleboro on the nonprofit corporation’s 25th anniversary.
                                        (H.C.R.131)
  Offered by Representatives Kornheiser of Brattleboro, Burke of Brattleboro, and
Goodnow of Brattleboro
   Offered by Senators Harrison and Hashim
    Whereas, the story of Westgate Housing Inc. is the saga of residents determined to
continue residing in their affordable rental housing units and becoming actively involved
in their community’s management, and
  Whereas, Westgate was privately constructed in 1971 as a 98-unit rental housing
complex pursuant to a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development that guaranteed the units would remain affordable for 20–40 years, and
   Whereas, after the initial 20-year contractual period expired, it was apparent that
significant rent increases were looming that would force most residents to find alternative
housing, and
   Whereas, during the 1990s, the Westgate Tenants Association began organizing with
the goal of avoiding Westgate’s gentrification and the resulting involuntary departures
from their community, and
   Whereas, in 2000, following considerable effort, a coalition of nonprofit organizations
under the combined leadership of Housing Vermont and Westgate residents purchased
the property, and the groups formed the new nonprofit Westgate Housing Inc. (WHI) to
own and manage the property, and
   Whereas, since December 2000, Housing Vermont and WHI have acted as partners in
Westgate’s ownership, retaining rents considerably below market rates and providing the
residents with input in the community’s management, and
   Whereas, the percentage of the WHI Board’s resident membership continued to
increase, reaching 100 percent in 2009, the intended permanent organizational
structure, and
   Whereas, consequently, Westgate is one of the few resident-controlled rental housing
developments in the United States, and
   Whereas, the resulting residential pride has led to a vibrant community that takes
responsibility for its operation and maintains a high level of neighborhood quality and
civic engagement, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
  That the General Assembly congratulates Westgate Housing Inc. of Brattleboro on the
nonprofit corporation’s 25th anniversary, and be it further
 Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
WHI.
                                                                            VT LEG #383698 v.1