Lamoille Community House director advocates for stability in emergency housing program

Concerns over the proposed 80-day cap on emergency housing programs dominated discussions at the Vermont Senate Health and Welfare meeting on April 16. Advocates for vulnerable households urged lawmakers to reconsider this limit, warning it could plunge families back into chaos and uncertainty.

Sarah, a representative from a local nonprofit, highlighted the anxiety faced by clients who have endured constant changes to housing programs. She emphasized the need for a stable, human-centered system that can proactively address homelessness rather than react to seasonal crises. “Now is the time for intentional planning and deep collaboration,” she stated, imploring the committee to ensure stability for households in the emergency housing program for fiscal year 2026.

Kim Anetzberger, executive director of Lamoille Community House, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of maintaining a coordinated system of care through Continuums of Care (CoCs). She expressed concerns about the restructuring of oversight for housing funding in the proposed H91 bill, particularly regarding the General Assistance (GA) Emergency Housing Program and the Housing Opportunity Program (HOP). Anetzberger pointed out that while GA needs improvement, HOP is a well-functioning program that should not be conflated with GA.

The meeting underscored the critical need for collaboration among providers and policymakers to create a more effective response to homelessness in Vermont. As discussions continue, advocates remain hopeful that their voices will lead to meaningful changes in the state's approach to housing stability.