For Immediate Release
January 10, 2017
Contact: Katherine Levasseur (802) 828-2245 or klevasseur@leg.state.vt.us
Montpelier – As directed by the Legislature, the Agency of Human Service and a Steering Committee of housing providers, service providers, and funding agencies contracted with a national consultant to conduct a review of the state’s homelessness response system and expenditures. Today, the report was presented to the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH).
The report indicates that Vermont doing great work in the fight to end homelessness in America—the number of homeless Vermonters has declined by 30% in the last two years to the latest count of more than 1,100 persons.
“We are proud of the progress we’ve made over the last several years to decrease our number of homeless Vermonters by 30%. There is much work to be done to continue on this path. Even one homeless Vermonter is one too many. I look forward to working with the House, the Senate, and the Administration this biennium to create a strong, healthy future for our state” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson.
While this is great progress, there are many challenges to still overcome. CSH recommends a five-year commitment and laid out a roadmap to expand supportive housing, meet targets for new affordable rental housing, complete local coordination systems, retain service and rental assistance programs that are working well, while continuing to innovate. The report also identifies the ways in which housing the homeless and improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families with complex needs saves state resources.
“The Roadmap is the result of a major effort on the part of CSH including extensive quantitative and qualitative analysis and stakeholder outreach including those experiencing homelessness. Our committee looks forward to reviewing the report in detail” said House General, Housing, and Military Affairs Committee Chair Helen Head.