Vermont Business Magazine Frank Knaack, executive director of the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, released the following statement regarding the passage by the Vermont House of Representatives of H.879, in a 105-37 vote.
“The urgency of this legislation cannot be understated. Vermont has the 2nd highest rate of unhoused people per capita in the country, in part because it has not developed an adequate plan to ensure interim housing for those in need. This legislation places Vermont on a firm path to not only address this crisis, but do so in a way that better centers the perspectives of people with lived experience as well as our front-line providers. We commend the House Human Services Committee members for their thoughtful approach to addressing this crisis. This is both a moral and fiscal imperative. Homelessness is linked with a broad range of negative health conditions, including premature death. People experiencing homelessness also are far more likely than the general population to be a victim of crime. In addition, the economic costs associated with the failure to provide interim housing - including on health systems, schools, criminal legal systems, and other public services - are substantial and fall on municipalities and the state to cover.”
H.879 would create an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program with the intent that “unsheltered homelessness be eliminated in Vermont and interim shelter opportunities be available to provide a stable pathway to permanent housing for all Vermonters experiencing homelessness.”
It would also create an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Advisory Committee made up of individuals with lived experience of homelessness to provide advice and recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families regarding the implementation, administration, and operation of the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program.
This legislation also creates an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Task Force that would be charged with providing recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the operation and administration of the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program. This taskforce would include strong representation from front-line interim housing and related services providers and individuals with lived experience of homelessness.
H.879 will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Source: 4.2.2024. Montpelier, VT – Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont
