Pictured from left to right: Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald, President of Charlotte Congregational Church Tom Maffitt, and Cathedral Square Board Secretary Peg Maffitt
Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square has received a $25,000 gift from Charlotte Congregational Church to support their Housing Incentive Program (HIP). This donation will help fund Cathedral Square's innovative initiative designed to support residents transitioning from homelessness to stable, long-term affordable housing.
HIP launched in December 2024 to address Vermont's homelessness crisis by providing comprehensive support to individuals and families during the critical transition period after securing housing. The program offers embedded support services, wellness programs, community programs, monetary incentives, emergency funds, and a resident advisory group to ensure participants receive the critical support they need to stay housed during this vulnerable time.
"Supporting Cathedral Square's Housing Incentive Program (HIP) reflects our deep commitment to caring for our most vulnerable neighbors," said Tom Maffitt, President of Charlotte Congregational Church. "When we learned about this innovative approach to helping people transition from homelessness to stable housing—with embedded support services, wellness programs, and emergency funds—we knew this was exactly the kind of transformative work our congregation wants to champion. HIP recognizes that stable housing is just the foundation—people also need community support and hope to truly thrive. We hope our gift will inspire other faith communities and organizations to join us in this vital mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness in Vermont."
"We are so grateful for this incredible gift from Charlotte Congregational Church, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them," said Cathedral Square CEO Kim Fitzgerald. "This gift will directly support HIP participants to feel welcomed and supported as they transition and acclimate to their new home, helping provide the embedded support services, emergency funds, and community programs that are essential for long-term housing success. Charlotte Congregational Church's commitment to this innovative program demonstrates their understanding that ending homelessness requires more than just housing—it requires comprehensive support and community partnership."
HIP is currently being piloted at six Cathedral Square communities and has already demonstrated tremendous impact with 17 participants currently enrolled. Cathedral Square now seeks to raise an additional $150,000 to support a total of 60 participants in the initial pilot program. Charlotte Congregational Church's gift brings the organization closer to this important milestone and demonstrates the power of community partnerships in addressing Vermont's homelessness crisis.
"We hope that Charlotte Congregational Church's leadership will inspire other faith communities and organizations to join this vital mission," said Fitzgerald. "Together, we can make a profound difference in our communities and work toward ending homelessness in Vermont."
To learn more about HIP or to make a donation, please visit: cathedralsquare.org/hip
About Cathedral Square Established in Burlington in 1977, Cathedral Square is a leading provider of affordable housing with services for older Vermonters and people with disabilities and other unique needs. It operates 28 housing communities in Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties and administers the award-winning SASH® (Support and Services at Home) model, created in 2009 by Cathedral Square and available to Medicare recipients statewide, free of charge, since 2011. For more information, visit cathedralsquare.org
About Charlotte Congregational Church, UCC Located in Charlotte, Vermont, Charlotte Congregational Church is committed to prayerful, compassionate and courageous action in the world, embraced by the healing love of Jesus Christ and inspired by his teachings. For more information, visit charlotteucc.org.
9.16.2025. Cathedral Square https://www.cathedralsquare.org
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