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DAIL highlights supported-housing pilots; Riverflow house opened in October 2024
Summary
DAIL described several supported-housing pilot projects including Riverflow Inc., which opened in October 2024 and houses four people with complex developmental disabilities in a live-in staff model.
Department officials described pilot supported-housing projects during the May 20 testimony to the House Appropriations Committee, saying early results show models intended to increase community integration for people with developmental disabilities.
"Riverflow was the first one to open its doors. There's 4 individuals with complex developmental disabilities that reside at this house... So they live there and so do 2 staff live there," Commissioner Dr. Bowen Dilbone said, describing the Riverflow model that came out of Act 186 pilot grants.
DAIL’s Developmental Disability Services Division director, Jennifer Garabedian, described other pilots that use different physical models and partnerships. Upper Valley Services, in partnership with Downstreet Housing, is creating apartment set-asides in Waterbury to provide service-supported housing for individuals across a range of needs. Upper Valley is also converting a historic building in Randolph to add two units plus accessory dwellings. The Champlain Housing Trust model centers an apartment building intended in its entirety to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
DAIL told the committee the Act 186 pilots were intended as seeded investments to demonstrate replicable approaches: officials said Riverflow is already seeking funding to duplicate its model and that the pilot awards have catalyzed partnerships with housing trusts, private donors and other stakeholders. DAIL staff said there are roughly 26–32 potential new units in various stages across the pilot portfolio, and that the department expects housing needs statewide to remain significant.
Representative Stevens asked about a $2.8 million line in the budget for a Burlington project; DAIL staff said Riverflow was the first of several pilot projects and that the department and partners are working to assemble additional funding to scale successful models.
DAIL also noted the Agency of Human Services was awarded a housing accelerator grant that provides technical expertise (not direct funding) to help coordinate resources and local partners, which department witnesses said should help pull additional financing and development support together.
No formal committee actions were taken during the presentation; committee members were encouraged to review the detailed program materials DAIL provided.
