The rate of homelessness in Vermont was 2nd highest in the U.S., according to the 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report released by HUD last week.
Homelessness
Homelessness is a Housing Problem forum on July 24
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.
Public feedback sought on ending rural homelessness
The Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH), on behalf of the Balance of State Continuum of Care, is seeking public feedback on its application for special funding from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to address rural homelessness.
Report makes recommendations for supportive services coordination
A new report by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) calls for better alignment between housing and supportive services in Vermont. The report was commissioned by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB). CSH convened a steering committee of leaders across the state and held a series of focus groups among providers and clients to develop solutions.
Homelessness Awareness Day is January 20th
Vermont's annual Homelessness Awareness Day will take place virtually this year from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 20th. Our partners at the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, Vermont Interfaith Action, and Chittenden County Homeless Alliance are sponsoring a series of activities for the event, including legislative testimony and a Memorial Vigil to remember Vermonters who have died without homes.
Spotlight on ARPA resources for affordable housing
In the newest installment of VHFA's housing video series, VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins interviews Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Policy Director Jennifer Hollar on how federal American Rescue Plan Act pandemic recovery funding is being used to create new affordable homes for Vermonters.
The interview discusses how $144 million in new state and federal funding is being allocated, with 1,158 new homes expected to be created by the end of 2023. Already, 459 of those homes have been designated for Vermonters who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Housing First initiative reports successful outcomes in Denver
Homelessness has been persistent across United States cities and states. In Vermont, the number of people experiencing homelessness has been rising slightly, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which nearly doubled that number from 1,110 to over 2,000 at its height. As a percentage of population, Vermont has the 10th highest rate of homelessness in the country. However, new strategies across the country are being utilized to successfully place people experiencing homelessness in stable homes.
Homelessness ended among veterans in Chittenden County
On August 28th, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) announced that the Chittenden County Continuum of Care (VT-501) has eradicated homelessness among veterans in Chittenden County.
The announcement, sent to Mayor Kristine Lott of Winooski and Mayor Miro Weinberger of Burlington states:
“We are confident that the infrastructure and systems you have built will ensure that any Veteran experiencing homelessness in the region will get the support they need to quickly obtain a permanent home.”
Mayor Lott stated in an official press release:
Vermont Housing Needs Assessment reveals racial disparities
Research conducted by VHFA for the 2020-2025 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment reveals that Vermont’s non-White households fare worse than White households according to numerous economic and housing-related metrics. Much of the data from the report is available on VHFA’s regularly updated Vermont housing data site.
Point in Time Count for 2020 shows slight increase in number of homeless
Newly released data from the 2020 Point-in-Time Count in January found 1,110 people experiencing homelessness in Vermont, a slight increase from the prior year. That number has increased to over 2,000 people during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness.