Witnesses urge Vermont to fund "Road Home" plan to build service‑supported housing for adults with developmental disabilities

Kirsten Hartley, executive director of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, told a joint House General and House Housing hearing that the Act 69 "Road Home" report outlines a five‑year plan to create service‑supported housing for Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"We estimate that there are about 600 people that need some kind of housing or will need some type of different housing arrangement than what they are currently in over the next 5 ish years," Hartley said, and the report places the cost at roughly "$56–61,000,000 over 5 years." She warned that the report’s recommendations must be implemented as a coordinated package — building homes without rental assistance or supports will not work.

Why it matters: witnesses said the shortage affects both people who want to live independently and family caregivers who are aging. Max Faroes, outreach director for Green Mountain Self Advocates and a self‑advocate, told the committees that ableism and discrimination limit options and drive poverty and…