Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced Josh Hanford of Randolph has been appointed as commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development where he will lead Governor Scott’s efforts to create more housing and help Vermont communities grow.
“Josh has decades of experience making government work for communities,” said Governor Scott. “He also understands the urgency of building more housing units and undertaking new and innovative approaches to rural economic development.”
Hanford has 20 years of experience in the housing and community development field, serving as the deputy commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development since 2017. Prior to that role, Hanford served as the director of the Vermont Community Development Grant program where he administered more than $150 million in Community Development Block Grants. Hanford was instrumental in post Tropical Storm Irene recovery, leading the deployment of more than $40 million in disaster recovery.
Governor Scott has cited expanding availability of housing that’s affordable for working families and young professionals as key to attracting and retaining more workers in Vermont. In his first term, with the support of the legislature, he proposed and passed a “Housing for All” bond representing the state’s largest-ever investment in housing. This $37 million bond, which leveraged another $65 million in private funding, is currently putting about 600 units of new housing on the market.
“I’m honored to be appointed to this new role, and I’m excited to continue to advance the Governor’s goal to ensure housing is more affordable and accessible for all Vermonters as we work to strengthen all Vermont communities across the state,” said Hanford. “I have a great team at the Department, and I look forward to working with them to fulfill our critical mission for Vermonters.”
Hanford serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including as a founding member of the Rochester/Randolph Area Sports Trails Alliance (RASTA). He studied political science and geography at Plymouth State University and holds credentials in non-profit and natural resource management. Hanford lives in Randolph with his wife and two children and enjoys fishing, skiing and mountain biking.