Vermont officials say a new, free catalog of ready-made house plans will help lower the cost of building and increase housing options for residents. The State Agency of Commerce and Community Development plans to publish the 802 Homes Catalog before the end of the year. It will include 10 full construction plans intended to be low-cost, adaptable and accessible.
What changes for homeowners and builders
The catalog is designed to remove some of the upfront design costs that add to the price of new housing developments, making it quicker and cheaper for Vermonters and small developers to build. Project lead Jeff Duby said the effort is about putting “homes in the ground at prices that Vermonters can afford,” not simply producing a pretty brochure.
State officials hope the standardized plans will spur construction while offering flexibility for different sites and household needs. The designs are meant to be broadly useful rather than limited to a single demographic.
Focus on aging in place and broader accessibility
An explicit goal of the initiative is to expand options for older Vermonters who want to remain in their communities. Agency leaders said they are seeking input from seniors and are holding virtual feedback sessions to gather reactions to the proposed designs.
“The goal certainly is not a nice-looking catalog of homes. The goal is homes in the ground at prices that Vermonters can afford,” said Jeff Duby, 802 Homes Catalog project lead.
Although the catalog emphasizes features that support aging in place, officials stressed the plans are intended to serve a wide variety of households and site conditions.
Costs, timing and next steps
At this stage, the state does not have firm construction-cost estimates tied to the catalog plans. Duby said the project is still in the design phase and the team is reviewing choices through an "affordability by design" lens to see where costs can be reduced.
Real estate data show Vermont’s housing market remains costly: Realtor.com reports the state’s average home price exceeds $400,000, underlining the need for measures that lower barriers to building.
- Catalog contents: 10 complete construction plans
- Agency leading project: State Agency of Commerce and Community Development
- Target outcomes: lower design costs, adaptable and accessible homes, more construction
- Public input: virtual feedback sessions, with emphasis on senior perspectives
- Release window: by the end of the year
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of designs | 10 |
| Lead agency | State Agency of Commerce and Community Development |
| Primary goals | Affordability, accessibility, adaptable designs |
| Target release | End of year |
Officials say eliminating design fees could lower total development costs and that the catalog will be available at no charge to anyone who wants to build in Vermont. The agency is still collecting feedback and refining plans; construction-price outcomes will depend on choices builders make and broader market conditions.
Residents who want to follow the project or provide feedback should contact the State Agency of Commerce and Community Development for details about the virtual sessions and the catalog’s public release.
— Vermont Correspondent
