Senator Sanders Delivers Keynote Address at Windsor Groundbreaking Celebration
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Senator Bernie Sanders and HV's President, Nancy Owens
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It may have been cold and snowing outside, but the temperature and spirit in Windsor Village’s community room was decidedly warm as Senator Bernie Sanders keynoted the January 21 celebration of the start of extensive renovations to the historic complex.
Housing Vermont President Nancy Owens introduced Senator Sanders to the room full of residents, local and state officials, and construction workers. Nancy thanked Senator Sanders for his long-time support of affordable housing, seniors, and thoughtful energy policies. She announced that the Senator had secured a $243,500 HUD grant which will be used to make the facility more energy efficient. The funding will provide a significant boost to renovations which are expected to cost $5 million.
“Today is an exciting day for affordable housing in Windsor County," Sanders said. “To say that this housing has become an important asset to the area would be an understatement. This reinvestment in the property will make Windsor Village Housing an even better place to live for many years to come. As important as it is to build new affordable housing, we must also make sure that we preserve the housing that we already have.
“What makes this project stand apart is its commitment to energy efficiency. As we struggle with global warming and the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the rehabilitation of this housing will be done with energy efficiency in mind,” said the Senator, who sits on both the Senate energy and environment committees.
Windsor Village has provided affordable housing to seniors and others in the community for more than 30 years and has been in a Housing Vermont tax credit partnership since 1994. Housing Vermont began extensive renovations to the property in December. The project will install energy-saving windows, enhanced insulation, a solar hot water heater, a wood pellet-fired boiler, and improvements to sealing and ventilation. These improvements are expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 50 percent.
The property contains 67 apartments for seniors and 10 for families. Each apartment will receive new flooring, kitchen cabinets, lighting, bathroom fixtures and paint. The renovation also will upgrade the facility’s flooring, roofing, drainage, painting and open two new laundry rooms.
“The renovations to Windsor Village acknowledge our commitments to both preserving this important housing resource and to sharply decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Housing Vermont President Nancy Owens. “Senator Sanders’ help in securing HUD funds will greatly benefit our current residents and Vermonters for years to come.”
Other funding sources include Housing Vermont’s Green Mountain Housing Equity Fund which is providing nearly $3 million in private capital, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Community Development Program, and the Vermont Fuel Efficiency Partnership.
The property is the former Vermont State Prison, originally built in 1808 and converted to housing in 1978. The site is on the State Register of Historic Sites and is eligible for listing on the National Register.
The rehabilitation of Windsor Village started in December and will be completed in about one year.