Lawmakers hear testimony on youth homelessness; providers urge more housing and supports

BURLINGTON — Testimony to the House Committee on General & Housing on April 28 highlighted persistent gaps in services for young people experiencing homelessness and called for targeted investment in housing, case management and prevention.

Representative Kate Logan, who represents the Chittenden‑16 District and serves as director of the Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth, told the committee that federal funding for youth services has been flat while needs have grown. "Youth homelessness is not inevitable," she said, arguing that "with targeted coordinated investment, Vermont can ensure that every young person has a place to live and a path forward." Logan described a statewide coordinated response that includes outreach, transitional housing, rapid rehousing and long‑term stabilization services but said coverage is uneven across the state.

Why it matters: Witnesses said current resources reach only a fraction of young people who are homeless or unstably housed. Panelists described long wait lists, a reduction in youth‑specific providers since before 2022, and…