The Myth being spread here is that there is no housing issue. Also that the Goshen Housing trust made this up. In secret. Its a conspiracy.
MYTH
The need for housing diversity to address the need of the young and seniors has been talked about in this Town since at least 1988 when a survey of its citizens was done. Well-attended open community meetings have been held on the issue over the years at which the indisputable data that makes the issue clear was presented.
In 2016 as part of updating the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development, a full house, open planning session was held in which, once again, the people of the Town identified housing diversity for the young and seniors as a high priority. See the picture, above -
maybe you where you there?
The clear result of this inclusive, formal planning process was that the Town has a housing issue.
And, in fact, in the Plan document that the Planning and Zoning Commission issued stated specifically that
working with the Goshen Housing Trust to address this problem was a goal. Check it out.
How's that for being secretive?
We have actively explored many options for addressing this issue; rarely in secret.
In 2012, we explored acquiring a piece of Town-owned land for which we held an informational meeting at GCS Cafeteria that was well attended. We didn't pursue the property in the end due to a legal issue with it. But we had a great meeting, did town-wide mailings, etc.
Since then we have actively worked with local real estate brokers exploring the possibility of buying homes on the market for conversion to affordable housing. We came close on a number of these. We also investigated many parcels of undeveloped land around the Town for purchase.
We have also participated in the Northwest Hills Housing Council for many years in open public meetings discussing our plans along with others.
Apparently the people who are saying there is no issue and that we have been secretive were off doing something else while our volunteers were working on the issue for our Town??