Young adults, unable to afford their own place, are living with their parents in greater numbers than at any time since the Great Depression—a phenomenon that started before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Pew Research Center. 

“This is the first time I can ever remember the housing crisis affecting everyone, not just the low-income,” said Cindy Reid, development director at Cathedral Square, which develops and manages 26 affordable housing communities in northwestern Vermont. 

Reid, who has worked in Vermont housing for three decades, said there is a perfect storm of adverse conditions right now.

An upcoming project, the FKF Self-Sufficiency Program will provide temporary housing to young adults in need. We will help them find employment, teach them about basic finance (i.e., budgeting), cooking, and nutrition. A portion of their income will be put into an escrow account to help them save up to get permanent housing.

Dedicated work on this program will begin when the Winooski Youth Center project is complete.