Vermont's pandemic-era motel voucher program, which provided temporary shelter for the most vulnerable homeless population, is nearing its end. As hundreds prepare to leave state-funded motels this fall, municipal leaders and advocates voice concern over insufficient housing options. The largest displacement, around 230 households, was set to occur on Thursday due to an 80-day limit imposed by the Legislature in July. Those affected include families, older adults, disabled individuals, and victims of domestic violence or natural disasters.
There's also a new 1,110-room cap on motel rooms that can be used by the state to house the homeless during the warmer April through November stretch. Advocates say some people who haven't hit the 80-day mark haven't been provided with a room due to the cap. Around 1,000 households statewide will be out of motels soon, according to Jen Armbrister from Good Samaritan Haven in Barre, where shelters are consistently at capacity. The state had the second-highest per capita rate of homelessness in 2023.
Local leaders are seeking more state assistance as the crisis escalates. Montpelier City Manager William Fraser highlighted the strain on first responders, public spaces, and nonprofit support. Gov. Phil Scott acknowledged the predicament, citing the unsustainable nature of the motel program and ongoing efforts to establish more shelters. However, with a rental vacancy rate of merely 3% statewide, Vermont faces pressing challenges in creating additional housing. The Vermont Housing Needs Assessment indicates a need for 24,000 to 36,000 new homes between 2025 and 2029 to address current and future demands. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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