History & Awards

Burlington Community Land trust (BCLT) and Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation (LCHDC) were each founded in 1984 with the financial support of the city of Burlington in partnership with neighboring communities and citizen groups.

BCLT focused on neighborhood improvement and expanding homeownership and LCHDC focused on rental housing production. Both groups were charged with producing and maintaining permanently affordable housing – be it rental or homeownership – for low income individuals and families. By merging in 2006, they combined their strengths to form Champlain Housing Trust to comprehensively serve the affordable housing and community development needs of Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Permanent affordability and community ownership through our membership structure are hallmarks of the community land trust model that BCLT developed and modeled nationally and that we proudly carry forward in CHT.

HEAR WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY

Sarah Robinson

Homeowner

“Our house is now our home – and as the weather has gotten colder, we’ve loved having our woodstove burning!” added Sarah. “We just hosted Thanksgiving with our family, and sitting around the table with our family and friends made us reflect on how truly grateful we are to own our own home.”

Read All Testimonials

 


2023

Best Places to Work | Vermont Business Magazine
“Honoring the best places of employment in Vermont.”


2022

Best Places to Work | Vermont Business Magazine
“Honoring the best places of employment in Vermont.”


2020

Best Places to Work | Vermont Business Magazine
“Honoring the best places of employment in Vermont.”


2019

Vermont Business Growth Awards | Services Category


2018

Best Places to Work | Vermont Business Magazine
“Honoring the best places of employment in Vermont.”

Vermont Business Growth Awards | Services Category


2017

Vermont Business Growth Awards | Services Category

Outstanding Partnership | Vermont Housing Conservation Board
“For outstanding collaboration with UVM Medical Center, Safe Harbor Health Center, United Way, and Burlington Housing Authority to create affordable housing.”


2016

Community Housing Capital
“In appreciation of CHT’s Commitment to affordable housing.”

Michael Monte Certification | Neighborworks/Harvard Kennedy School

Community Impact Award | United Way
“For unwavering commitment & compassion in providing housing to the most vulnerable at Beacon Apartments.”


2015

Community Partnership Harbor Place | Mutual of America
“For creation of Harbor Place.”


2014

Housing for Everyone Award | TD Charitable Foundation
“For its efforts and initiative in the area of affordable housing.”


2013

Housing for Everyone Award | TD Charitable Foundation
“For its efforts and initiative in the area of affordable housing

Community Housing Capital | Ethan Allen Condominiums
“For Dedication to Affordable Housing.”


2012

Institutional Recognition | Preservation Burlington
“For rehab and renovation of 221 Pine Street as part of our City Neighborhoods development.”


2011

Prudential Leadership Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Boards | BoardSource
“For CHT’s Board, in recognition of successful leadership through merger and transition.”


2010

Award for Excellence in Sustainable Community Development |Home Depot Foundation 
In collaboration with the City of Burlington and East Village Co-Housing, Burlington was selected as the small city winner of this national award recognizing commitment to community development that balances environmental, economic and equity goals.

Housing for Everyone Award | TD Charitable Foundation 
For the third year running, CHT won a Housing for Everyone Award, given to innovative and practical projects that address critical housing needs of low and moderate income people.


2009

Smart Growth Award | Smart Growth Vermont
In concert with Housing Vermont and Redstone Commercial Group, a block-wide redevelopment in Burlington won a Smart Growth Award. The block included CHT’s new headquarters and 20 apartments, built to be LEED-certified.


2008

United Nations World Habitat Award | Building and Social Housing Foundation
Presented by BSHF in conjunction with UN-HABITAT, the World Habitat Award recognized CHT’s innovative Community Land Trust model as one that is sustainable, durable and replicable throughout the world.


2006

Housing Hero | Citizens Bank
To City’s Edge, a mixed-income 60 condominium development, for its “innovative solutions, effective use of resources, leadership in creating affordable housing and strong fiscal responsibility.”

Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibility Home Depot Foundation
With Housing Vermont, for Waterfront Apartments


2005

Better Buildings by Design Award | Efficiency Vermont
To Waterfront Apartments for “the project with the most innovative approach to integrate energy efficiency improvements into a comprehensive high performance design.”


2004

Richard W Carbin Community Conservation Award | Vermont Land Trust
“For being an inspiring and innovative leader in the affordable housing field”


2003

The Vermont Governor’s Award | Governor James Douglas
“For Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention”

The Jim and Patty Rouse Award | The Enterprise Foundation
“For Comprehensive Community Revitalization Efforts in Burlington’s Old North End”


2002

Vermont Smart Growth Initiative Award
“For the Development of Waterfront Apartments”

Leadership for a Changing World Award | Ford Foundation
“Recognizing the Achievements of Outstanding Leaders”


2001

Old North End Community Award | City of Burlington
“For the redevelopment of the Archibald Street and North Winooski Avenue Area”

Chittenden County Historical Society Award | Chittenden County Historical Society
For the preservation of “a number of Burlington historical signature structures”

Better Homes Gold Award | Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont
Named the Anderson Parkway Development “Best subdivision supporting affordable housing”


2000

Affordable Housing Award | City of Burlington
“For creating permanently affordable housing” with the Green Mountain SRO Project/p>

Historic Preservation Award | Preservation Burlington
“For multi-family restoration” at 299 Archibald Street

The Hertzel Pasackow Award | Burlington Business Association
For Park Place Coop’s “Significant Contributions to the Physical or Architectural Quality of Downtown Burlington”


1999

Community Development Award | City of Burlington
“For Development of Park Place Coop”

Community Development Award | City of Burlington
“For Development of the Mclure Multigenerational Center”

John J. Gunther Best Practice Award | HUD
“For meeting community needs while revitalizing vacant community building, foreclosures and brownfields”


1998

Certificate of Recognition | Neighborhood Reinvestment
Park Place Coop

Preservation Trust of Vermont Award | Preservation Burlington
For the Rose Street Artists’ Cooperative Development Team for “Outstanding preservation of Vermont Architecture”

Community Development Award | City of Burlington
93 Hyde Street Project, “A single family energy-efficient home in the Old North End”

Historic Preservation Award | Historic Preservation Trust 
“Development of the George and Elaine Little Park”


1993

Community Partnership Decade Award | Community Development Block Grant
“For ten year achievement in affordable housing initiatives and neighborhood revitalization”


1987

Certificate of Special Merit | The United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless
“For Exemplary community efforts to improve shelter and neighborhoods”