WATERBURY, Vt. — Starting this Friday, Vermont will introduce two emergency shelters aimed at supporting families as the state transitions away from pandemic-related motel accommodations. This shift arrives following the enforcement of new limits on a state-funded program that previously provided housing for those undergoing homelessness. The move affects many vulnerable individuals who had relied on motel rooms throughout the fall.
The temporary shelters are set to operate at the Waterbury armory and a decommissioned Vermont State Police barracks in Williston, collectively offering shelter for up to 17 families, as per officials from the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Joshua Marshall, a spokesperson for the department, confirmed that these shelters will be managed by state personnel, supplemented by contract staff as necessary. For families seeking shelter, an intake process will be required for admission.
In addition, plans are underway to establish a family shelter in Montpelier, according to Marshall. He emphasized that these shelters are intended to provide short-term assistance. “Multiple state departments will play a role in ensuring accountability and linking families to the necessary services and training to support their transition to stable housing,” he shared via email.
Recently, the Democrat-led Legislature imposed restrictions limiting stays in motels to 80 days, with a maximum of 1,110 room availability from April to November for housing individuals. To bolster emergency shelter provisions, a budget of $10 million was allocated. Amid these changes, various advocates, local leaders, and lawmakers have been pressing the state to expand its efforts, especially since an estimated 1,000 individuals, which includes families, senior citizens, and those with health challenges, have been displaced from motel accommodations as the state phases out its voucher program. Between mid-September and mid-October, 724 households—comprising 877 adults and 298 children—left these motel rooms, with around 100 additional families also projected to have lost housing recently.
Starting December 1, these households will be able to reapply for motel accommodations during the colder months. Governor Phil Scott of the Republican Party had previously noted the uncertainty regarding the number of individuals likely to need shelter this fall, revealing that assessments were being made to identify available capacity in state-owned facilities. He mentioned that six families camping at North Beach in Burlington had to vacate their spots after the city cut off water access. Scott estimated that there might be additional families in need of assistance in Chittenden County, as well as some in the Barre area, with a majority located in Rutland.
Although there had been discussions about increasing shelter capacity in Rutland over the summer, the Rutland County Mental Health agency could not continue serving as the provider for that site. Marshall communicated that the state is in ongoing discussions with local representatives and agencies but has yet to receive an updated shelter proposal. “The state remains committed to collaborating with the city and local entities to explore potential solutions,” he noted.