To: Chair Representative Helen Head
House General, Housing & Military Affairs

From: Eric Seidel, NECI (3/07)

I was asked to testify before your Committee yesterday, but was unable to attend because of work commitments. I am responsible, and have been for 23 years, for supplying good quality, affordable housing for the 300 New England Culinary Institute students we house every year.

From the perspective of quality and affordability, this mission has become more and more challenging over the years. High housing costs get reflected in the tuition our students must pay for their education. That tuition must be competitive with other technical college programs across the country in order for NECI to survive.

Even if we are able to compete with the higher cost institutions in our industry, we have a moral responsibility to not send our graduates into the workplace with an unreasonable college debt load created, in part, by high Vermont housing costs.

We at NECI support any action your committee might take that will act to make reasonable quality, affordable housing available for our students, faculty, and staff.

Respectfully,

Eric Seidel
Vice President, Facilities

To: Representative Tony Klein
House Natural Resources & Energy

From: Jeff Kantor (3/07)

I understand that some may chaff at not requiring Act 250 oversight as allowed under this bill. I can tell you from my experience that the Act 250 process is a redundant, costly addition to these projects.

The Act 250 criteria are covered in detail by the local (zoning or DRB) permitting process; ANR permits; and Energy Efficiency regulations. In addition whenever one of the affordable housing projects utilizes state or federal financing (VHCB, HOME, VCDP, RD or HUD) we are required to under go an environmental review with includes Section 106 historic review.

I urge you to support this legislation and share this request with your fellow committee members. This may even be a structure that East Montpelier could use to help the development of the senior housing that is now being explored.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Jeff Kantor
Calais, VT