📰 [WCAX] New affordable housing available for Vermonters with developmental disabilities

Joe Grabowski
Aug 15, 2025
2 min read

Text "Vermont's Own WCAX3" over blue mountains silhouette. Bold red and white typography creates a local, welcoming feel.

A group of people in hard hats participate in a groundbreaking ceremony with shovels. Text reads "NEW HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES." — From WCAX.com

New affordable housing available for Vermonters with developmental disabilities

By Kendall Claar Published: Aug. 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM EDT

RANDOLPH CENTER, Vt. (WCAX) - New affordable housing opportunities are becoming available for Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thanks to a state law approved three years ago, a groundbreaking was held Thursday in Randolph for one of them.

Ruth Buchanan grew up at Hamesbest, a small farmhouse and barn in Randolph Center.

The property’s been in her family for over 70 years, but now it’s getting a new life, partly inspired by her daughter Laura, who has a developmental disability.

“We want her to live in a place, in a community where she can freely go anywhere, get a job, have a safe place to live,” Buchanan said.

A few years ago, Buchanan and her husband, Norm, approached Upper Valley Services about redeveloping the property.

“Housing is much-needed across Vermont already, but the people who have been left out of the equation for many years have been people, adults with -- Vermonters -- with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said the nonprofit’s Gloria Quinn.

The project will provide housing for two people, along with on-site staff support. An existing garage will also be converted into an independent living unit for another person.

The project was made possible by the 2022 law Act 186, which mandated a review of housing models for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It showed Vermont needed upwards of 600 new units.

“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to have just as many options as everyone else does,” Quinn said.

“This is just an example of what we need to do, and it’s a stellar example, because this is scalable. This we can do in every community in Vermont,” said Vermont Housing & Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell.

Renovations to the property will make it safe and accessible and should be complete by next spring.

As for the Buchanan family, they hope that someday their daughter Laura can call this place home. “This will be a permanent place for her after we’re gone,” Norm said.

https://www.wcax.com/2025/08/14/new-affordable-housing-available-vermonters-with-developmental-disabilities/