DAIL tells Appropriations committee Act 69 roadmap and housing pilots aim to address 600‑unit shortfall for developmental disabilities

DAIL told the House Appropriations Committee that it is supporting a set of housing initiatives aimed at addressing a shortage of residential options for people with developmental disabilities and aging caregivers.

Commissioner Angela Jo Bowen highlighted multiple projects — Upper Valley Services’ housing in Randolph, Marsh House in Waterbury, Champlain House (in collaboration with Howard Center in Burlington), and Able House developed by Northwest Counseling and Support Services — as examples of new or expanding capacity. Bowen said those projects reflect a broader Act 69 work group roadmap with multi‑stakeholder input.

The committee asked how the roadmap would attain a previously cited target of about 600 needed units. A member who identified himself in the discussion as Tom asked for a thumbnail of the report. DAIL staff said the plan’s recommendations include a mix of approaches — value‑based care models, capital and infrastructure funding, and service investments — designed to reach roughly 600 or slightly more units as the population grows over the next 10 years.

DAIL also described regulatory and licensing work: the department has created a standing subcommittee to examine licensing and regulatory barriers that could impede new shared living or alternative housing models. In committee discussion, staff clarified that a shared living provider (SLP) model operates in a host family home and is distinct from a group home; an SLP can serve up to two people while a group home may serve three to six.

DAIL emphasized that many of the projects were advanced through planning grants, public‑private partnerships, land trusts and family engagement, and that some initiatives are now moving from planning into operational phases.

DAIL said the Act 69 follow‑up will include regulatory reviews and stakeholder engagement to identify what licensing changes, if any, are needed before expanding new housing models.

The committee did not take formal action on the roadmap during the session; members asked for follow‑up materials and indicated they would review the February developmental disabilities annual report when it is delivered to the legislature.

Quotation and evidence above are drawn from DAIL’s presentation and committee exchanges on Jan. 29, 2026.