DCF: Executive order extends some hotel stays but 1,100-room cap and verification process limit renewals

The Department for Children and Families told a legislative committee that the governor's March executive order prioritizing people deemed medically vulnerable and families with children for emergency hotel housing is in effect, but a 1,100-room statewide cap and verification procedures have limited the state's ability to renew stays.

At a committee meeting, Chris Winters, commissioner of the Department for Children and Families, said the order had a short implementation window and DCF has worked nonstop since learning it would take effect April 1. "We do have this executive order that prioritizes and extends the stay for a certain population of folks," Winters said, adding the state has been trying to verify who meets the medical criteria.

Why it matters: The executive order was intended to extend housing for people the administration identified as at heightened risk, but those protections do not automatically guarantee continued, state-funded hotel stays when statewide capacity is full. Lawmakers expressed concern that Vermonters identified by the administration as especially vulnerable are nevertheless being left without paid placement.

Miranda Graham, deputy commissioner of the Economic Services Division, described the department's rollout. DCF sent a letter to hotels on the evening the order was released and used a mix of pre-authorizations, partner referrals and self-attestations to identify eligible households. "On the 28th, when the executive order came out, we put…