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End Homelessness Vermont: hotel exits led to deaths and crisis; group urges housing-first, tiny-home pilots and alternative vouchers
Summary
Brenda Siegel of End Homelessness Vermont told the Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee that unsheltering people this fall caused preventable deaths and medical emergencies, and urged lawmakers to pursue housing-first practices, tiny-home pilots, alternative rental vouchers and funding for an Office of Housing Advocate.
Brenda Siegel, executive director of End Homelessness Vermont, told the Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee that the state’s recent practice of allowing large cohorts to exit hotel shelter led to catastrophic health outcomes, hospitalizations and deaths.
“We had 7 of our clients die. Every client who died absolutely could have been housed,” Siegel said, recounting the fall period when many clients lost shelter and staff scrambled to respond.
Key findings and data from Siegel’s testimony:
- Phone and casework volume: Since last June, End Homelessness Vermont received roughly 2,000 calls; in January the organization made about 680 outgoing calls and processed about 50 incoming calls and roughly 80 voucher renewals.
- Interview and research program: The group completed an initial interview phase (76 individuals in June 2023) and a…
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