VHFA News

By:
Leslie Black-Plumeau

Vermont’s first straw bale affordable senior housing project has been built in Holland, Vermont, according to Metropolis magazine.   

The land for the housing was donated by Evelyn Page, now deceased, from her family’s nearby farm and in memory of her husband.  Mrs. Page also gave funds to Rural Edge who developed and manages the property.   

As standardized energy efficient construction methods have become increasingly expensive, Rural Edge decided to test straw bale as a construction material.  They found straw bale “an appealing alternative because of its fire-resistance, insulation capability, savings on labor costs, availability of local talent to build this way, carbon footprint reduction, low-embodied energy, chemical and allergy free composition.”

Read the full Metropolis article.