Fern Hill

Fern Hill Apartments is an affordable senior housing community in downtown Burlington, Vermont, serving low-income seniors aged 62 and over and disabled adults aged 18 and over. The community offers one-bedroom apartments with in-unit kitchens equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and sink, with residents bringing their own furniture.

Housing at Fern Hill is subsidized through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 program. Residents must meet income qualifications, generally not exceeding 50% of the area median income for Chittenden County at move-in, with 40% of annual new occupancies reserved for those at or below 30% AMI. Each resident's rent share is capped at 30% of monthly income, with the remainder covered by HUD subsidy.

The community provides a rich schedule of activities and services through its on-site staff, including a dedicated Resident Services Coordinator. Programming includes picnics, holiday celebrations, entertainment, exercise classes, monthly resident meetings, health clinics, and guest speakers from social service agencies. Residents gather for potluck dinners in the community kitchen and dining area and enjoy outdoor lawn games and activities.

Residents are encouraged to participate actively in community life, with their contributions documented in a resident-produced newsletter. Fern Hill was originally established in 1979 under HUD's Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program and underwent major renovations completed in 2019, including upgrades to apartments, hallways, community spaces, and exterior areas. The community is now fully independent, having severed its organizational connection with Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in 2020 while maintaining historical ties.