House committee hears H.91 to create V‑HEART emergency shelter system; committee report 8-2-1

The House Appropriations Committee on March 25, 2025 heard testimony on H.91, a bill to create the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program (V‑HEART) and to shift administration of emergency shelter services from the state’s General Assistance model to regional community action agencies. Committee members also reviewed a one-time $10 million appropriation in fiscal year 2026 to support the transition.

V‑HEART would establish a new chapter in Title 33 that directs the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to operate the program and distribute funds and subgrants to community action agencies. Under the proposal, community action agencies would administer supportive services, extreme-weather shelters, temporary and transitional shelter (including community‑based shelters, master leases and negotiated blocks of hotel/motel rooms), and case management and housing navigation services. The bill preserves a carve‑out for a statewide organization to continue shelter and case management services specific to households experiencing domestic violence.

Why it matters: The bill is intended to reorganize existing shelter and emergency housing money into a single statewide program run regionally, with the goal of building continuity between short‑term shelter and longer‑term housing supports. Committee sponsors said the change aims to reduce discrepancies between people placed in hotels and people placed in shelters that offer wraparound services and to expand local planning and accountability.

Program structure and duties - Administration: DCF would have statewide responsibility for planning, system development, rulemaking and oversight; community action agencies would operate or contract to provide direct services in their regions. DCF must consult with community action agencies and other partners to develop an allocation formula, accountability measures and technical support. - Services: Required components include supportive services (intake, diversion,…