A long-delayed affordable housing project in Putney has officially opened, adding 25 affordable rental homes to the local housing market after years of legal challenges and delays.
The Alice Holway Drive Apartments opened Wednesday, September 30, marking the completion of a project that faced opposition from nearby residents and spent years working through court proceedings.
The development's cost increased from an initial $10.3 million to approximately $15.3 million during the delays. Developers also spent roughly $85,000 on legal fees connected to the challenges.
Despite the added costs and extended timeline, the completed project is now providing new rental housing in a community where affordable options remain limited.
The development is significant not only for the 25 households that will occupy the apartments, but also because it illustrates the challenges that can arise when new housing projects face lengthy approval and legal processes.
For developers, delays can increase construction, financing and legal costs. In this case, the project's total cost rose by roughly $5 million from its original estimate.
The opening also comes as Vermont continues to face a shortage of housing, particularly affordable rental units. New projects such as the Alice Holway Drive Apartments are intended to expand supply for households that may otherwise struggle to find housing within their budgets.
The Putney project ultimately moved forward despite the opposition, and its opening adds another completed affordable housing development to Vermont's growing pipeline.
After years of delays, the 25 apartments are now open, turning a heavily contested development proposal into new housing for Putney residents.
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