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House concurs with Senate changes to homelessness response bill after fiscal clarification
Summary
The House concurred in the Senate's proposal of amendment to H.9 38, the Vermont homelessness response continuum bill, after members clarified a $82,634,000 fiscal note is part of the governor's existing budget; the Senate's changes clarify eligibility, appeal procedures, rulemaking timelines and reallocate $500,000 for Burlington services.
The House on a voice vote concurred in the Senate's proposal of amendment to H.9 38, an act establishing the Vermont homelessness response continuum.
Member from Waterbury summarized the Senate's revisions, saying the amendments open funding opportunities to entities that previously did not receive funds, reorder program levels so permanent supportive housing is treated as an option rather than a distinct level, and clarify that the 70 days of eligibility for emergency assistance is calculated from the eligible household's application date over a rolling 12-month period.
The member also told colleagues the Senate's language requires fair hearings to be conducted in accordance with 3 VSA sections 3090 through 3091 and extends the emergency rulemaking deadline: the department of children and families would complete emergency rulemaking by Sept. 1, 2026 rather than July 1. During July and August the department will administer the program using emergency housing rules approved by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules on March 13, 2025; DCF must hold at least five stakeholder meetings statewide during the LCAR process and will submit draft rules to committees of jurisdiction for comment prior to filing permanent rules.
Member from Waterbury said the bill creates a Vermont Rental Assistance Bridge Program to be operated by the Vermont State Housing Authority and directs the Agency of Human Services to collaborate with the housing authority to develop a framework for a unified housing voucher program. The amendments specify that all recipients of services from AHS departments are eligible for the rental assistance program, with priority given to people who are homeless.
The Senate reduced expenditures for emergency hotels and motels by $500,000 and directed those funds to a day shelter in Burlington that has operated since the COVID-19 pandemic and serves hundreds of people daily, the member said. The Senate also added a requirement for quarterly reporting by the Office of Economic Opportunity describing how funds have been used.
Representative from Georgia asked about the most recent fiscal note, quoting a figure of $82,634,000 for next year. Member from Waterbury responded that the total matches the governor's budget and is not new money that would require Ways and Means to identify additional sources.
The House recorded concurrence by voice vote; the Speaker announced the ayes had it.
What happens next: with concurrence recorded, the bill returns to the legislative process with the Senate's proposed changes incorporated; emergency rulemaking deadlines and reporting requirements in the amendments are the next procedural steps for DCF and the Office of Economic Opportunity.
