Vermont is in the process of establishing three shelters for families facing homelessness as they transition out of state-funded motel accommodations this fall, following the implementation of new restrictions on a temporary housing program due to the pandemic, state officials announced on Wednesday.
These family shelters are set to be situated in state-owned buildings located in Williston, Waterbury, and Montpelier, according to Republican Governor Phil Scott. However, there are challenges in securing providers to manage these shelters, which Governor Scott acknowledged. “We’re going to think outside the box to find solutions and make every effort to get these shelters operational,” he indicated during his weekly press briefing.
With an estimated 1,000 of Vermont’s most vulnerable individuals transitioning from motel rooms, advocates, local leaders, and legislators have called on the state to take additional measures. Statistics from the Vermont Department for Children and Families reveal that between September 19 and October 14, 724 households, comprising 877 adults and 298 children, exited their motel accommodations. Approximately 100 households are anticipated to lose their motel rooms by the end of October. However, these households will be eligible for motel housing again when winter conditions set in on December 1.
The legislation passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature has imposed an 80-day limit on how long individuals can stay in motels and introduced a cap of 1,110 rooms to be utilized for lodging during the warmer months from April through November. Additionally, the state has allocated $10 million to enhance emergency shelter availability.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Scott noted that the state does not have a clear estimate of how many individuals would require housing this fall, as assessments of available resources are ongoing. He refrained from disclosing the number of families identified as needing shelter, indicating instead that the figures are limited.
Recently, six families camping at North Beach in Burlington were asked to vacate the area due to the city cutting off water access. According to Scott, some more families may reside in the Chittenden County region, others might be around Barre, but the majority are believed to be in Rutland.
“We haven’t had communication from others. It’s possible there are additional families,” the governor commented, adding, “I cannot confirm their current situation but we are actively seeking clarification on their whereabouts upon exiting the program. Therefore, they could be staying with relatives rather than being left homeless.”
The executive director of Good Samaritan Haven in Barre has not returned communications for comment. The Department for Children and Families is working to open shelters in Williston and Waterbury by November 1, while the site for the Montpelier shelter is still in the planning phase.