Equity
Burlington celebrates our cultural and social diversity and works hard to support programs and projects that honor this strength. The Social Equity Investment Project is one such initiative, as is Youth on Boards.
Social Equity Investment Project
The Social Equity Investment Project (SEIP) is a social development resource created to help Vermont leadership and communities’ better address growing cultural diverse and socio-economic issues which impact quality of life for all populations. The goal is to move Vermont beyond the challenging and transformational crossroads recognizing commonality and a shared vision.
Thus, far the SEIP has proven to be valuable resource even beyond Vermont. In March, the SEIP received the 2nd place 2009 City Cultural Diversity Award presented by the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO). The SEIP was awarded nationally to honor its community leadership in developing creative and effective programs designed to improve and promote cultural diversity through a collaborative process with city officials, community leaders and residents. The SEIP model will be placed in the National League of Cities data base for national best practices.
Youth On Boards is a civic engagement project of the City of Burlington’s Legacy Project and its partners. This model program seeks to provide youth leaders with opportunities for representing Burlington’s youth on City Commissions and Boards. Youth on Boards engages youth in developing leadership skills, contributing to building sustainable communities and sharing the wisdom and insight of young people.
Housing
Champlain Valley Land Trust: An evaluation of Champlain Housing Trust in Burlington, Vermont, the nation’s largest community land trust, shows that the community land trust model of shared equity has expanded access to home ownership while also providing permanent affordability. Resale restrictions have succeeded at maintaining affordability, even when home prices increased. More than two-thirds of the 205 residents who exited the land trust have “stepped up” to full home ownership after realizing their land trust equity gain.