Plugging your nose to avoid a bad stench doesn’t work.

by Kolby LaMarche

On Monday, I joined Kurt and Anthony on WVMT’s The Morning Drive (ICYMI)

I began that interview by noting that both of the leading candidates, in my opinion, have weak policies on housing and fail to provide any plan to support Burlingtonians in facing economic hardship. 

Unfortunately, I was proven right just hours after that interview during the Burlington’s second mayoral debate.

It is clear, at least to me, that Democratic mayoral candidate, and realtor, Joan Shannon will be Burlington’s next mayor. 

Shannon has been my councilor in the South District for, basically, my entire life. Her service, be it good or bad, to Burlington is unmatched by anyone in the race. And her record on public safety is also unmatched. 

But Shannon has, being a “housing-first” candidate, pinned her housing platform on increased homeownership.  

While she, during the debate, acknowledged historical racism’s impact on housing disparities, her other comments lacked any comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged communities and families. 

And it shows in her utter lack of supportive policy. 

It has long been held that homeownership is a foolproof path to wealth creation for poor families in the United States.

However, struggling Burlingtonians, factors such as poor timing, location, exorbitant borrowing costs, and inflated property taxes can turn wealth-building into wealth-destroying. 

For many working-class people, taking homeownership on alone can be a difficult task. 

So, they turn to touted programs like Champlain Housing Trust’s shared-equity model, celebrated by many political leaders. But this plan host other, significant barriers as well, notably the substantial upfront cost of over $13,000.

For many Burlington families on fixed incomes, especially those relying on state aid with income restrictions, like Section 8, SNAP, or heating assistance, having extra money is a perilous path to not having any money at all. 

The benefits cliff turns even modest financial gains into a risk. 

To explain the cliff concept, I’ll provide you with a short personal narrative. 

At the age of 2, my mom had a celebration for me, amongst family and friends, and $200 was put into a savings account, which she faithfully kept and gave to me when I turned 18.  

A couple of years back, she required a medical procedure. Her insurance, through the  government, declined coverage, citing my mom’s $200 in available funds (the money for me). As a result, she had to bear the expenses which nearly matched the amount she had saved for it. 

Now, imagine yourself in the same circumstance, financially. Scale that $200 to $13,000. By the time you are even able to meet one (1) requirement for the CHT program, you’ve just lost all your financial support and are back to square one. 

If you are poor – which almost a quarter of Burlington is – you haven’t got a chance at homeownership, let alone truly tasting economic liberty. And Joan Shannon, frankly, will be of no help to you.

Two other of Shannon’s comments stick out to me as concerning. 

Firstly, on her website, Shannon commits to a list of “Stakeholders who must be at the table” on housing. 

The stakeholders she name-drops eloquently embody the special interests propping her up. 

The featured players? Market-rate developers, VT’s Department of Corrections, banks, Champlain Housing Trust-type developers, and business bigwigs. 

Shannon doesn’t utter a word about extending an invitation to poor or working-class families to join this exclusive gathering, perhaps because she simply doesn’t care.

Adding to the sting against working-class Burlingtonians, Shannon, in Monday’s debate, declared her intention to take a second look at Burlington’s inclusionary housing ordinance., saying “I [think] that inclusionary zoning is important and inclusionary Zoning can discourage development.” 

Shannon’s specific plans for implementing changes to inclusionary zoning remain elusive, as she provided no specific details on it.

But, while Shannon gives a nod to the importance of the ordinance, her doublespeak is meant to cloak her true aim – gutting the proactive (though, needing of reform) ordinance for the sake of favored, market-rate developers. 

This race, the issues of this race, are indeed complex. I cannot map this all out in just a few hundred words. 

So I beseech you to really interrogate this race and the issues, taking into consideration that the longer economic inequality continues, the harder it will be to solve the numerous other symptoms and build Burlington.   

Many people I know, displeased with the choices they have, intend to hold their noses and vote for Shannon – mainly for issues concerning public safety.

I get that. But plugging your nose to avoid a bad stench doesn’t work – the essence persists, it burns. 

The essence here is that, despite her engaging promises on public safety, vote-Scammin’ Shannon hasn’t a clue on what to do for housing affordability and the massive increases in homeless rates. 

As I have said, Joan is probably going to win. And all this isn’t to say you shouldn’t vote for her. 

But, I warn, you can’t hold your nose to this plight forever. 

Burning Sky is dedicated to providing critique and commentary on the issues of the day from an unapologetic perspective, fueling change in the heart of Vermont. Authored by Kolby LaMarche every Saturday.