As a nonprofit organization dedicated to the communities of central Vermont, Downstreet Housing & Community Development works with Lamoille, Washington, and Orange counties to identify local housing needs and create permanently affordable housing opportunities. Downstreet has been advancing the work of permanently affordable housing in central Vermont for nearly 40 years. Today, Downstreet: 

• Operates over 800 permanently affordable apartment homes and 85 manufactured lots 
• Stewards and grows a portfolio of 168 permanently affordable homeownership opportunities and provides a full array of homeownership services 
• Runs a 41-room service-integrated hotel that addresses the immediate needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness 
• Provides housing-based support services that help over 600 people maintain their housing stability and meet basic needs  

In 2026, Downstreet will be in the process of creating over 100 affordable housing opportunities for central Vermonters across the region. 

The Speranza Inn, a Program of Downstreet

In April 2025, Downstreet purchased the former Quality Inn building in Barre City and began an occupied rehabilitation of the property. Thanks to enormous community support, including Hunger Mountain Co-op, the building was transformed into the Speranza Inn—a 41-room integrated services hotel that now plays a critical role in addressing the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness in central Vermont. What was once an aging property now offers guests: 

• A community space complete with a public kitchen 
• A laundry room that is free for all 
• A food pantry with essential goods 

The Speranza Inn was an urgent undertaking necessitated by a stark reality: there are simply not enough homes in the Green Mountain State for our neighbors in crisis. With the fourth-highest per capita rate of homelessness in the country, ending homelessness in Vermont requires both long-term solutions and responsive, short-term interventions. 

The Speranza Inn provided shelter to 654 households in 2025 alone, which equates to more than 1,250 individuals.  

The Work Isn’t Over Yet

Downstreet is currently fundraising to meet the final $9,000 needed to attain a generous $100,000 matching gift designated to the Speranza Inn. This funding will support ongoing operations like:  

• An emergency response fund to meet urgent needs like winter clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and more  
• A robust on-site food pantry accessible to all residents 
• Direct case management services that help guests secure permanent housing  

By rounding up at Hunger Mountain Co-op this month, you are closing a funding gap that will make tangible change in our corner of Vermont. Together, we can uplift our neighbors and friends, and ensure a better, safer, and more equitable future for all Vermonters.  

Thank you for rounding up in support of Downstreet and the Speranza Inn.  

Learn more about Downstreet and how to give.

Author: Downstreet Housing and Community Development