Faced with housing problems only made worse by recent disastrous floods, Vermonters will have an opportunity to learn more and discuss causes of homelessness with state and national housing experts on Monday, July 24, at noon. The virtual policy forum will feature University of Washington Professor Gregg Colburn, author of the recently published book Homelessness is a Housing Problem.
Instead of attributing homelessness to factors like mental illness, poverty, or public assistance, Colburn argues that housing market conditions, specifically the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a more compelling and convincing explanation for the varying rates of homelessness among U.S. cities.
The forum will also include a panel of Vermont housing experts, including:
- Maura Collins - Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
- Lindsay Mesa - Assistant Director, Pathways Vermont
- Jess Graff - Co-Chair, Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness
- Will Eberle - Executive Director, Recovery Vermont
The event is held by the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer in partnership with Phoenix Books, who has Professor Colburn’s book available for purchase at their Burlington location leading up to the event.