Former Rutland Bike Shop Transformed into Affordable Housing for Veterans
RUTLAND — A former bike shop in Rutland, Vermont, has undergone a remarkable transformation and now serves as a residence for military veterans who have experienced homelessness. The project, called Base Camp, offers eight one-bedroom apartments on the ground floor of a three-story building. Since its opening in mid-October, seven veterans have already moved in, leaving just one unit unoccupied. This privately led initiative aims to address Vermont’s housing crisis and provide much-needed support to veterans in need.
These apartments are so modern, expressed Douglas Lloyd, a 61-year-old former service member, as he marveled at his bedroom’s remote-controlled ceiling fan with a light. I can’t ask for anything more. Lloyd, who had been living in a home for unhoused veterans in Bradford, now has his own place in the city where he grew up, with convenient access to public transportation. His monthly rent, including utilities, is approximately $1,000, with half of the cost subsidized through a program by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The rest is covered by his disability insurance.
The creation of Base Camp was made possible through a partnership between the property’s owner and developer, Stephen Box, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Box was inspired to initiate the project after helping veterans secure rentals through the federal agency. Recognizing the housing gap that existed for veterans, he decided to convert the former Col Cycling store in Rutland into apartments exclusively for them.
A lot of veterans in Rutland have faced unstable housing situations, Box explained before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Base Camp. Our hope is that this becomes a permanent solution for them. The Vermont Housing Improvement Program provided crucial support for the project, offering grants ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 per apartment. In return, the units must be classified as affordable housing and house individuals transitioning out of homelessness for at least five years.
The completion of Base Camp, from planning to occupancy, took less than two years, demonstrating remarkable speed in addressing the pressing issue of affordable housing for veterans. The entire project cost less than $500,000, including grant funding, the owner’s funding match, and incentives from energy efficiency organization 3E Thermal.
The affordability and efficiency of this project make it stand out, particularly when compared to other publicly supported affordable housing initiatives, which cost an average of $450,000 per unit, according to state officials. Several factors contributed to the minimization of development costs for Base Camp. The property’s existing electrical system and water service reduced the need for significant renovations, and the building was ready for retrofitting, eliminating the necessity for extensive demolition work.
Cheryl Hooker, a member of the Rutland Board of Aldermen and former state senator, praised the Base Camp project as a model for addressing Vermont’s affordable housing crisis without exorbitant costs. It can be done, and it doesn’t have to cost millions and millions, Hooker stated. Approximately 35 individuals, including Rutland-area state legislators, the mayor, and other aldermen, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Base Camp.
The need for affordable housing in Vermont remains acute, with 753 households currently relying on the state’s emergency housing program, many of which are in Rutland County. Since moving to Rutland in 2021, Box has acquired six rental properties, providing housing for 15 adults and 19 children who were previously housed through the state’s motel voucher program. Box believes that government red tape hinders the swift response to the affordable housing issue and argues that there are approximately 2,400 vacant homes in Rutland County that can be repurposed with minimal renovation.
While the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked an important milestone in addressing the housing crisis among veterans in Rutland, it also served as a reminder of the larger issue facing Vermont and the urgent need for collaboration, creativity, and efficiency in finding solutions. The transformation of the former bike shop into affordable housing provides hope for both veterans and the broader community, demonstrating that with determination and effective partnerships, it is possible to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Overall, Base Camp exemplifies the potential of innovative projects to address affordable housing challenges while providing veterans like Douglas Lloyd with a sense of stability and renewed hope. As Vermont continues to grapple with its housing crisis, initiatives like Base Camp serve as beacons of possibility, inspiring communities to think creatively and proactively in their efforts to tackle this pressing issue.
(Note: Vermont is a state in the United States, and certain context-specific information has been adapted to ensure the article’s relevancy for a broader audience.)
