3-Acre Manufactured Housing Communities Initiative
Program Overview
In Vermont, the Clean Water Act requires sites with three or more acres of impervious surfaces (like roofs, parking lots and roads) to obtain the 3-Acre Permit to improve how they manage stormwater runoff.
Beyond compliance, this funding has additional benefits:
- It helps cover the cost of required upgrades that MHCs would otherwise have to pay for themselves.
- Better stormwater management supports Vermont’s clean water efforts by keeping pollution out of local waterways, which is good for both residents and the environment.
Many MHCs have already worked with engineering firms on designing stormwater controls and securing permits. Funding is now available for the construction of these designs.
Eligibility
All MHCs in the Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog watersheds that are required to comply with the 3-Acre Permit are eligible for funding assistance (but funding is limited so communities have been prioritized). Communities selected for 2025 construction have been notified. Pending available funding, communities with approved stormwater permits will be selected for 2026 construction according to the prioritization ranking.
Greenprint Partners and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity are partnering with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to help MHCs with construction funding and technical assistance.
