Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) – Burlington, VT

Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO)

The Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) is a dynamic department within the Burlington City Government, located in City Hall at 149 Church Street. Established in 1983, CEDO’s mission is to foster economic vitality, support affordable housing, and promote social equity within the Burlington community. Unlike traditional planning departments, CEDO actively engages with residents, non-profits, and businesses to implement projects that improve the quality of life for all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

Key Initiatives and Services

CEDO manages a broad portfolio of city programs and federal grants. Its primary areas of focus include:

• Housing Trust Fund: Administering funds to create and preserve permanently affordable housing units across the city.
• Economic Development: Supporting small businesses, managing the revolving loan fund, and overseeing workforce development initiatives.
• Community Justice Center: (Note: While often associated, the CJC operates closely with CEDO to provide restorative justice services).
• Opportunity and Engagement: Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through community dialogues and specific outreach programs.
• Homelessness Initiatives: Coordinating the city’s response to homelessness through the ”Housing First” strategy.

Visiting the Office

CEDO’s administrative offices are situated on the 3rd Floor of City Hall. Visitors entering City Hall from the Church Street Marketplace or Main Street must pass through security screening. The office is open during standard city business hours. While staff are available to assist walk-ins, making an appointment is recommended for complex inquiries regarding loans or housing grants.

Parking and Transit

Located on the pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace, the office is best accessed by parking in the nearby Marketplace Garage or using the extensive Green Mountain Transit (GMT) bus network, which converges at the downtown transit center just a block away.