Housing infrastructure projects provide the public improvements needed to support new housing development. These projects may include items such as water, wastewater, roads, sidewalks, or other infrastructure that serves a housing site. Understanding what qualifies as a housing infrastructure project can help communities plan eligible projects and meet CHIP program requirements.
VEPC's CHIP webpage may have additional FAQs related to this topic.
The requirements to create a Housing Infrastructure Project include:
- a Housing Development Plan,
- a Housing Development Site,
- a detailed description of the infrastructure improvements, and
- the types of costs and amount of cost of the improvement that may be financed with CHIP debt.
This means that the Housing Infrastructure Project, whether owned by the municipality or the developer, must be planned prior to seeking VEPC approval for CHIP.
Yes. The municipal Legislative Body must hold one or more public hearings, after public notice, on the proposed Housing Infrastructure Project. The hearing(s) must include the Housing Development Plan and a Housing Development Site.
Unless a municipal charter requires greater notice, the municipal Legislative Body must post the notice at least 15 days in advance of the hearing in at least two public places within the municipality and in the clerk's office and on the municipality’s website. If the municipality does not have two public places to post their warning, it may post its warnings in adjacent communities. The Housing Development Plan and a Housing Development Site plans must be available for review by the public when the notice is published.
The Legislative Body (Selectboard, City Council, Village Trustees) is the only body eligible to create a Housing Infrastructure Project.
No. The CHIP Guidelines state that the finance entity can be the municipality, a developer, or an independent agency that meets State lending standards.
Disclaimer: This resource was created by Municipal Operations Support (MOS) staff of non-legal professionals with expertise of the subject matter. It is only intended to provide information and does NOT constitute legal advice. Readers with legal questions are encouraged to contact an attorney. The use or downloading of this resource does NOT create an attorney-client relationship and will not be treated in a confidential manner. Non-legal questions about this resource can be directed to MOS staff at mos@vlct.org.