The Lease to Locals Program (the “Program”) offers cash incentives to property owners who convert their housing units into seasonal or long-term rentals for Qualified Households. Incentives are based on the size of the housing unit and the number of qualified tenants in the household group. The goal of the program is to increase the supply of year-round housing available for Woodstock community members and local workers. The Program is a one-year pilot that starts on May 9, 2024. 

Eligible properties must meet the following requirements:

• Location: The Housing Unit must be located in the Town of Woodstock.
• Housing Unit: A housing unit is a single-family house, condominium, townhome, multi-family home of up to four units, accessory dwelling unit, a single room, or multiple single rooms that are intended for occupancy living quarters. Multi-family homes greater than 4 units, mobile homes, hotels, and motels are not eligible for the Program.
• Maximum Incentive amount is capped at three (3) Qualified Tenants. 
• Status: The Housing Unit must be a legally permitted dwelling unit and each bedroom in the property must have a door and window. 
• New Rental: The Housing Unit must not have been leased long-term in the past 12 months. 
• Property Condition: The Housing Unit must meet basic health and safety criteria as may be required per Vermont Rental Housing Health Code and the Woodstock Zoning Regulations.

• Property Owner: The Applicant must be the owner of the property or able to legally represent the owner or ownership group. In the case of a legal representative, additional documentation may be required.  
• Signed Lease Agreement and Complete Application Packet: The Property Owner must complete an application and sign a seasonal (5-11 months) or long-term (12+ months) Lease with a Qualified Household. The complete application packet must be submitted within 60 days of the start of the lease. 
• Lease Compliance Checks: The Property Owner must comply with the lease agreement for the full length of the lease and will be checked for compliance by Placemate at six (6) months into the lease for long-term rentals, and at the end of the lease for all properties participating in the Program. Failure to comply with the lease requirements at any time shall disqualify the Property Owner from the Program and the incentive must be repaid.
• Fair Housing Act Compliance: The Property Owner must comply with the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, familial status, or disability.

A Qualified Household is any group of individuals living together in one home as their primary residence, where at least 50% of the adults are Qualified Tenants.

A Qualified Tenant is an adult who is not of blood relation to the Property Owner and who is Employed or will be employed with an average of 25 hours or more per week at a business, organization, or public or private entity located in the Qualified Area (Woodstock, Barnard, Bridgewater, Pomfret, Reading, or Hartland).

Dependent children will count as one (1) additional Qualified Tenant, regardless of the number of children present.

First, create a renter profile with Placemate. Once we have that information, we can send you prospective properties that fit your criteria and you can message directly with homeowners who advertise their listings on our website. 

Prior to disbursing grants, our partners at the Town of Woodstock will review documentation submitted by Placemate, including a copy of the fully executed lease agreement, proof of status for qualifying tenants, and a property owner application.

The Town of Woodstock will issue 50% of the payment to the Property Owner within forty-five (45) days of a seasonal or one-year lease commencement and confirmation of eligibility, and 50% within forty-five (45) days of a successful end of lease.

Please note, each Property Owner may only participate in the Program one time and there are no incentives after year one.