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Advocates urge person-centered alternative and convertible shelters, propose November 2027 study deadline
Summary
CVOEO, the Housing and Homelessness Alliance and partner groups presented a person-centered alternative to H.594 that prioritizes voluntary supports, fully funded shelter stabilization, a five-year investment in convertible shelters, reasonable accommodations under the ADA, and a study with recommendations by November 2027.
Representatives from the Chittenden Valley Office of Economic Opportunity and the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont told the committee they had prepared an alternate approach to H.594 that centers people, leverages existing services, and aims to move Vermont away from heavy reliance on hotels toward permanent supportive housing.
Paul Greiggen (CVOEO) and Chad Simmons (Housing and Homelessness Alliance) said their outline prioritizes: a person-centered purpose statement; stabilization funding for the existing shelter system; an annual five‑year investment in needs‑specific or convertible shelter projects (designed for eventual conversion to permanent supportive housing); full participation in HMIS and coordinated entry; and stronger protections and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Vermont Public Accommodations Act. They also described operational expectations — for example, shelters designed to include clinical partners and 24/7 staffing for people with complex medical and behavioral needs when appropriate.
The coalition proposed a study and action plan to return recommendations to the legislature by November 2027 and said they would follow up with line-item appropriation proposals. Witnesses emphasized that voluntary engagement, lower case-manager caseloads, and robust data and navigation systems are essential to avoid people becoming "stuck" in motels and to enable successful exits to permanent housing.
"Words matter," Chad Simmons said while reading the coalition's purpose statement, urging a trauma-informed, housing-first model that protects due process and recognizes the needs of people with disabilities.
Witnesses said they would return with detailed budget line items and asked the committee to design legislation that bolsters the continuum of care rather than re-creating separate systems.
