Providers report rising unsheltered population, higher acuity and strained shelter system as state outlines limited winter expansions

Local providers, outreach groups and a faith‑based ministry described a sharp rise in unsheltered homelessness, higher behavioral‑health acuity among people seeking services, and urgent gaps in year‑round shelter capacity during testimony before the House committee on Oct. 30.

Taylor Thibault, chair of the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance and associate director at Champlain Housing Trust, told the committee that proposed federal changes to the Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity could cap how much communities may use CoC funds for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing beginning in FY2027. Using CCHA’s modeling, Thibault said a cap could force 15–20 formerly chronic homeless individuals back into the street in the most severe scenario and that CCHA could lose an estimated $336,000–$587,000 depending on the cap level; even moderate assumptions showed losses of more than $270,000.

Jonathan Ferrell, executive director of the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) in Burlington, presented FY2025 operational data for single‑adult services: he said day‑station unique visitors rose from about 500 three years ago to 1,862 in the most recent fiscal year; the overnight Waystation (36 beds) served 161 people, about 70 percent of whom self‑reported a disabling condition (including mental‑health, chronic physical health, substance use and developmental disabilities). Ferrell described higher acuity, more frequent medical…