VHCB outlines housing pilots for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
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Summary
VHCB described pilot projects and set-aside apartments for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—including a $2.8M Burlington project and group-living units in multiple towns—saying the projects reflect several housing models and varying levels of support.
VHCB told the House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 7 that it has been funding diverse housing models for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and plans to continue that work.
"You authorized $2,800,000 for a project in Burlington that's 10 apartments that's under construction now," Selig said when asked about housing for a vulnerable population. He said VHCB has funded projects in Moncton, Berlin and Waterbury with some apartments set aside for people with intellectual disabilities, and that a Brattleboro project was also recently funded.
Selig described a range of approaches: modest-support apartments in Burlington, more intensive group living in other locations, and mixed approaches where one apartment is reserved for an organizational employee who can provide day-to-day oversight.
Committee members emphasized the population’s vulnerability and long-term need for alternatives to institutional settings. Members noted prior pilots that demonstrated residents benefitted from smaller, community-based living arrangements and that early pilots helped unlock subsequent projects.
Why it matters: The projects respond to families’ long-standing concerns about supports and housing options after school or aging caregivers, and they are part of the broader state target discussed elsewhere in the session to develop more housing for specialized needs.
VHCB said it will continue this work and coordinate with parent groups and service providers; committee members welcomed further updates as projects move to occupancy.
