My Strong Support for Dormitory Inspection Resolution – Agenda Item 6.4 at the November 17th City Council Meeting

Dear Members of the Burlington City Council,

I am writing to offer my unequivocal support for the resolution under Agenda Item 6.4, The Adequacy Of The Exemption For University Or College Dormitories From The Minimum Housing Code Requirement For Periodic Inspections To The City’s Minimum Housing Standards. I also respectfully request that this message be entered into the public record.

Some of you will recall that the state of housing for UVM students, both on and off campus, has been a consistent concern of mine since I began my tenure with the Vermont Legislature in 2023. I first outlined these concerns in a letter to the Burlington City Council in December, 2023. I have dedicated significant time and effort to addressing the consequences of unchecked university enrollment growth, substandard living conditions, and the resulting pressure on Burlington’s broader housing market.

Despite the resistance these concerns have met in the General Assembly, I have persisted. My legislative efforts, including H.311 during the 2023-2024 biennium and H. 170 during the current biennium, aim to foster accountability and help the City reclaim its ability to ensure safe, habitable housing for all residents. I’ve also made these issues public through continued collaboration with students, constituents, and the new UVM administration. The 2024 State Auditor’s report further validates the urgency of this issue and the need for structural reform.

This resolution reflects a meaningful step forward. I commend Councilor Broderick and the co-sponsors for their leadership and investigative diligence, and I urge the Council to adopt this measure unanimously. A clear, united message from the City Council would not only affirm the right of students to safe and dignified housing, it would help reestablish a more balanced, collaborative, and accountable relationship between our institutions and our city.

Thank you for your continued service to our community, and thank you for taking this issue seriously.

Respectfully,
Troy Headrick
State Representative, Chittenden 15
Burlington, Vermont