House Appropriations hears H.938 to create Vermont homelessness response continuum, carry $82.6M in FY27

The House Appropriations Committee on March 17 heard H.938, a bill that would establish a statutory Vermont homelessness response continuum administered by the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and carried $82.6 million in the fiscal‑year 2027 budget proposal. Committee counsel said the bill aims to reduce reliance on hotel and motel placements and create a predictable, implementable system of prevention, shelter and permanent supportive housing.

The bill would create a new chapter in Title 33 to define eligibility, assign administration to OEO, and set a multi‑level continuum with prevention and diversion as the primary entry point, shelter options ranging from low‑barrier to highly structured and specialized beds, permanent supportive housing, and limited hotel/motel use when appropriate. ‘‘This creates in statute an ongoing program that provides a continuum of services and attempts to place a household in the service that best meets their need,’’ said Katie McLennon, Office of Legislative Counsel.

Sponsors and staff told the committee the proposal mirrors the governor’s funding recommendation for these services. Nolan of the Joint Fiscal Office confirmed the bill ‘‘talks about the $82.6 million of expenditure’’ carried in the budget and said the proposal uses the same budget lines…