Agencies tell Human Services committee existing programs fall short on housing; DOC, DMH, DOH outline gaps and supports

The House Committee on Human Services heard presentations from the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Health and the Department of Corrections on existing housing supports for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and on gaps that impede exits from institutional care to stable housing.

Samantha Sweet, deputy commissioner at the Department of Mental Health, opened with the agency’s mission and outlined DMH housing supports delivered through designated agencies (DAs) and a specialized service agency (Pathways). Sweet said DMH provides pre-tenancy and tenancy-sustaining supports, case management, and limited financial assistance including CRT housing support funds and the subsidy-plus-care voucher program. "The department of mental health is to promote and improve the health of Vermonters," Sweet said, framing the agency’s housing work as part of its behavioral-health mission.

Sweet described the agency’s PATH programs (SAMHSA-funded outreach for people with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness) and noted Pathways contracts operate on a housing-first model serving high-need clients in several counties. Committee staff later clarified there are six PATH…