Westgate Housing Community
A Little Westgate History
Westgate is a very unique place with an interesting past and a promising future. Westgate has ninety-eight one, two and three bedroom units. Originally built in the 1970s with Federal Government assistance, Westgate remained affordable for twenty years. Once the Federal mandate expired, the Westgate Tenants' Association (WTA) was formed (in 1992) to advocate for maintaining Westgate's affordable rents.
Westgate was purchased in 2000 by a group consisting of the WTA, The Brattleboro Area Community Land Trust, Housing Vermont and members of the wider Brattleboro community. This new non-profit partnership was called Westgate Housing, Inc. As a result of the buyout, Westgate will remain permanently affordable housing.
The complex was refurbished 2001-2003, including the construction of a new Commmunity Center, playground and basketball court.
By 2009 Westgate residents will occupy the majority of seats on the ownership board. By 2016 residents will have the option of assuming ownership of the entire complex. There are three other "Gates" in Vermont; Highgate in Barre, Northgate in Burlington and Applegate in Bennington. All of the other "Gates" are resident owned and operated, or headed in that direction.