| 1 | | - | BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 2 | | - | 2025 Page1of39 |
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| 3 | | - | H.91 |
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| 4 | | - | IntroducedbyRepresentativesMcGillofBridport,ColeofHartford,Cordes |
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| 5 | | - | ofBristol,GarofanoofEssex,andWoodofWaterbury |
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| 6 | | - | ReferredtoCommitteeon |
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| 7 | | - | Date: |
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| 8 | | - | Subject:Humanservices;shelter;emergencytemporaryshelter |
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| 9 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoestablishthe |
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| 10 | | - | EmergencyTemporaryShelterProgramtoreplacetheGeneralAssistance |
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| 11 | | - | EmergencyHousingProgram. |
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| 12 | | - | AnactrelatingtotheEmergencyTemporaryShelterProgram |
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| 13 | | - | AnactrelatingtotheVermontHomelessEmergencyAssistanceand |
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| 14 | | - | ResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgram |
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| 15 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
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| 16 | | - | ***LegislativeIntent*** |
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| 17 | | - | Sec.1.LEGISLATIVEINTENT |
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| 18 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythattheEmergencyTemporary |
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| 19 | | - | ShelterProgramestablishedin33V.S.A.chapter22isasteptowardensuring |
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| 20 | | - | that: |
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| 36 | | - | 16 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 38 | | - | (1)unshelteredhomelessnessbeeliminatedinVermontandinterim |
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| 39 | | - | shelteropportunitiesbeavailabletoprovideastablepathwaytopermanent |
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| 40 | | - | housingforallVermontersexperiencinghomelessness; |
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| 41 | | - | (2)arbitrarytimelimits,night-by-nightshelter,relocationbetween |
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| 42 | | - | interimhousingsites,andotherdisruptionsinhousingstabilitybeeliminated; |
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| 43 | | - | (3)noncongregatehousingbeusedtothegreatestextentpossible; |
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| 44 | | - | (4)Vermont’semergencyhousingstatutes,rules,policies,andpractices |
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| 45 | | - | incorporateHousingFirstprinciples,trauma-informedpractices,andemerging |
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| 46 | | - | bestpractices,including: |
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| 47 | | - | (A)immediateaccesstoshelterwithouthousingreadiness |
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| 48 | | - | requirements;and |
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| 49 | | - | (B)voluntarysupportiveservicesdesignedtosupporthousing |
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| 50 | | - | stability;and |
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| 51 | | - | (5)Vermontincreasethesupplyofinterimshelterthatisgeographically |
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| 52 | | - | andphysicallyaccessibletoindividualswithadisabilityandthataddressesthe |
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| 53 | | - | rangeofneedsamongindividualswithadisability. |
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| 54 | | - | ***EmergencyTemporaryShelterProgram*** |
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| 55 | | - | Sec.2.33V.S.A.chapter22isaddedtoread: |
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| 56 | | - | CHAPTER22.EMERGENCYTEMPORARYSHELTERPROGRAM |
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| 57 | | - | § 2209.EMERGENCYTEMPORARYSHELTERPROGRAMADVISORY |
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| 58 | | - | COMMITTEE |
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| 79 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 81 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheEmergencyTemporaryShelterProgram |
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| 82 | | - | AdvisoryCommitteetoprovideadviceandrecommendationstothe |
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| 83 | | - | Commissionerregardingtheimplementation,administration,andoperationof |
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| 84 | | - | theEmergencyTemporaryShelterProgramfromtheperspectiveofindividuals |
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| 85 | | - | withlivedexperienceofhomelessness. |
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| 86 | | - | (b)Membership.Eachcoordinatedentryleadagencyshallappointan |
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| 87 | | - | individualwithlivedexperienceofhomelessnessinVermonttoserveonthe |
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| 88 | | - | AdvisoryCommitteeestablishedinthissection.TheAdvisoryCommittee’s |
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| 89 | | - | membershipshallreflectthegrowingdiversityamongVermonters,including |
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| 90 | | - | individualswhoareBlack,Indigenous,andPersonsofColor,aswellaswith |
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| 91 | | - | regardtosocioeconomicstatus,geographiclocation,gender,sexualidentity, |
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| 92 | | - | anddisabilitystatus. |
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| 93 | | - | (c)Assistance.TheAdvisoryCommitteeshallhavetheadministrative, |
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| 94 | | - | technical,andlegalassistanceoftheDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies. |
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| 95 | | - | (d)Meetings. |
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| 96 | | - | (1)TheCommissionershallcallthefirstmeetingoftheAdvisory |
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| 97 | | - | CommitteetooccuronorbeforeJuly15,2025. |
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| 98 | | - | (2)TheCommitteeshallselectachairorco-chairsfromamongits |
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| 99 | | - | membersatthefirstmeeting. |
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| 100 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
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| 120 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 122 | | - | (e)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheAdvisory |
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| 123 | | - | Committeeshallbeentitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementof |
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| 124 | | - | expensesaspermittedunder32 V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethan12meetings |
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| 125 | | - | annually.Thesepaymentsshallbemadefrommoniesappropriatedtothe |
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| 126 | | - | Department. |
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| 127 | | - | Sec.3.REPEAL;EMERGENCYTEMPORARYSHELTERPROGRAM |
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| 128 | | - | ADVISORYCOMMITTEE |
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| 129 | | - | 33V.S.A.§ 2209(EmergencyTemporaryShelterProgramAdvisory |
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| 130 | | - | Committee)isrepealedonJuly1,2029. |
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| 131 | | - | Sec.4.33V.S.A.chapter22isamendedtoread: |
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| 132 | | - | CHAPTER22.EMERGENCYTEMPORARYSHELTERPROGRAM |
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| 133 | | - | § 2201.DEFINITIONS |
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| 134 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
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| 135 | | - | (1)“Commissioner”meanstheCommissionerforChildrenand |
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| 136 | | - | Families. |
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| 137 | | - | (2)“Community-basedshelter”meansashelterthatmeetstheVermont |
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| 138 | | - | HousingOpportunityGrantProgram’sStandardsofProvisionofAssistance. |
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| 139 | | - | (3)“Department”meanstheDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies. |
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| 140 | | - | (4)“Household”meansanindividualandanydependentsforwhomthe |
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| 141 | | - | individualislegallyresponsibleandwholiveinVermont.“Household” |
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| 161 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 163 | | - | includesindividualswhoresidetogetherasoneeconomicunit,includingthose |
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| 164 | | - | whoaremarried,partiestoacivilunion,orunmarried. |
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| 165 | | - | (5)“Statewidevacancyrate”meanstheVermont-specificrentalvacancy |
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| 166 | | - | rateasreportedbytheU.S.CensusBureau. |
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| 167 | | - | § 2202.ESTABLISHMENT;EMERGENCYTEMPORARYSHELTER |
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| 168 | | - | PROGRAM |
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| 169 | | - | (a)TheEmergencyTemporaryShelterProgramisestablishedwithinthe |
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| 170 | | - | DepartmentforChildrenandFamiliesforthepurposeoftemporarily |
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| 171 | | - | shelteringhouseholdspursuanttotheeligibilitycriteriainsection2203ofthis |
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| 172 | | - | chapterinamannerthatensuresparticipantdignityandleadstogreater |
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| 173 | | - | stability. |
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| 174 | | - | (b)PermissibleshelterprovidedthroughthisProgramshall: |
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| 175 | | - | (1)include: |
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| 176 | | - | (A)community-basedshelterprovidedbyhousingandshelter |
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| 177 | | - | operators,includingcommunity-basedsheltersfordesignatedpopulations;and |
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| 178 | | - | (B)hotelandmotelroomsonlyaftertheDepartmenthasexhausted |
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| 179 | | - | othermeansofprovidingcommunity-basedshelter;and |
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| 180 | | - | (2)limitrelocationbetweencommunity-basedsheltersites. |
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| 181 | | - | (c)(1)Ifthereisinadequatecommunity-basedshelterspaceavailablefora |
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| 182 | | - | householdwithintheAgencyofHumanServicesdistrictinwhichthe |
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| 183 | | - | householdpresentsitself,thehouseholdshallbeprovidedshelterinahotelor |
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| 206 | | - | motelwithinthedistrict,ifavailable,untiladequatecommunity-basedshelter |
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| 207 | | - | spacebecomesavailableinthedistrict. |
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| 208 | | - | (2)Annually,theDepartmentshallproposehotelandmotelrates |
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| 209 | | - | throughthebudgetprocessforconsiderationandapprovalbytheGeneral |
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| 210 | | - | Assembly.IftheDepartmentdeterminesthatacontractualagreementwitha |
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| 211 | | - | hotelormoteloperatortosecuretemporaryemergencysheltercapacityis |
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| 212 | | - | beneficialtoimprovethequality,cleanliness,oraccesstoservicesforthose |
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| 213 | | - | householdstemporarilyshelteredinthefacility,theDepartmentshallbe |
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| 214 | | - | authorizedtoenterintosuchanagreementinaccordancewiththeper-room |
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| 215 | | - | rateestablishedbytheGeneralAssembly;provided,however,thatinnoevent |
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| 216 | | - | shallsuchanagreementcauseahouseholdtobecomeunhoused.The |
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| 217 | | - | Departmentmayincludeprovisionstoaddressaccesstoservicesorrelated |
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| 218 | | - | needswithinthecontractualagreement. |
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| 219 | | - | (3)Theuseofhotelandmotelroomsshallbecontingentona |
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| 220 | | - | participatinghotelormotelcomplyingwiththepublicaccommodationact |
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| 221 | | - | pursuantto9V.S.A.chapter139,holdingalodginglicenseissuedbythe |
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| 222 | | - | VermontDepartmentofHealth,andcomplyingwiththeLicensedLodging |
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| 223 | | - | EstablishmentRuleandtheVermontFireandBuildingSafetyCode.The |
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| 224 | | - | Departmentmaywithholdfullorpartialpaymenttoanyhotelormotel |
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| 225 | | - | operatorwhoviolatesanylaworruleorwhoselodginglicenseissuspended, |
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| 226 | | - | revoked,expired,orotherwiseinvalid.Specifically,theDepartmentmay |
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| 249 | | - | withholdfullorpartialpaymenttohotelormoteloperatorstowhomthe |
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| 250 | | - | DepartmentofHealthhasissuedaconditionallicense,abatementorder, |
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| 251 | | - | warningletter,orothernoticeofviolation.Likewise,theDepartmentmay |
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| 252 | | - | withholdfullorpartialpaymenttohotelormoteloperatorswhohavereceived |
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| 253 | | - | noticesfromotherStateagenciesthatindicatethatthehotelormoteloperator |
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| 254 | | - | hasviolatedalaworrule.OncetheDepartmentissatisfiedthatthehotelor |
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| 255 | | - | moteloperatoriscomplyingwiththelawandanycorrespondingrules,the |
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| 256 | | - | Departmentshallbeginorresumepaymentsatthecontractedrateforlodging |
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| 257 | | - | oncetheviolationended.TheDepartmentmayprovideall,some,ornoneof |
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| 258 | | - | thepaymentswithheldbasedonthenatureandextentofthelegalviolations |
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| 259 | | - | andtheeffectsofthoseviolationsonEmergencyTemporaryShelterProgram |
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| 260 | | - | households. |
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| 261 | | - | § 2203.HOUSEHOLDELIGIBILITY |
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| 262 | | - | TobeeligiblefortheProgramestablishedinthischapter,ahouseholdshall |
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| 263 | | - | attesttolackofafixed,regular,andadequatenighttimeresidenceandhavea |
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| 264 | | - | memberwho: |
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| 265 | | - | (1)is60yearsofageorolder; |
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| 266 | | - | (2)hasadisabilitythatcanbedocumentedby: |
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| 267 | | - | (A)writtenverificationofthedisabilityfromaprofessionallicensed |
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| 268 | | - | bytheStatetodiagnoseandtreatthedisabilityandcertificationthatthe |
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| 290 | | - | disabilityisexpectedtobelong-continuingorofindefinitedurationand |
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| 291 | | - | substantiallyimpedestheindividual’sabilitytoliveindependently; |
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| 292 | | - | (B)writtenverificationfromtheSocialSecurityAdministration; |
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| 293 | | - | (C)receiptofadisabilitycheck; |
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| 294 | | - | (D)intakestaff-recordedobservationofadisabilitythat,notlater |
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| 295 | | - | than45daysaftertheapplicationforassistance,isconfirmedandaccompanied |
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| 296 | | - | byevidenceofthis;or |
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| 297 | | - | (E)otherdocumentationapprovedbyeithertheDepartmentorthe |
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| 298 | | - | U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment; |
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| 299 | | - | (3)isexperiencingaseriousshort-termmedicalconditionorhasbeen |
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| 300 | | - | dischargedfromahealthcarefacilitywheretheindividualwasbeingtreated |
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| 301 | | - | foraseriousshort-termmedicalconditionwithinthelast30days; |
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| 302 | | - | (4)isachildunder19yearsofage; |
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| 303 | | - | (5)isinthethirdtrimesterofpregnancyorisexperiencinganat-risk |
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| 304 | | - | pregnancy; |
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| 305 | | - | (6)hasexperiencedthedeathofaspouseordomesticpartnerwithinthe |
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| 306 | | - | last30days; |
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| 307 | | - | (7)hasexperiencedanaturaldisaster,suchasaflood,fire,orhurricane, |
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| 308 | | - | withinthelast30days; |
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| 309 | | - | (8)isunderacourt-orderedevictionorconstructiveevictiondueto |
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| 310 | | - | circumstancesoverwhichthehouseholdhasnocontrol;or |
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| 333 | | - | (9)isexperiencingdomesticviolence,datingviolence,sexualassault, |
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| 334 | | - | stalking,humantrafficking,hateviolence,orotherdangerousorlife- |
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| 335 | | - | threateningconditionsthatrelatetoviolenceagainsttheindividualora |
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| 336 | | - | householdmember. |
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| 337 | | - | § 2204.MAXIMUMDAYSOFELIGIBILITY |
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| 338 | | - | (a)Themaximumnumberofdaysthatahouseholdreceivesshelterina |
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| 339 | | - | hotelormotelunderthisProgram,per12-monthperiod,shallbedetermined |
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| 340 | | - | bythestatewidevacancyrate.Ifthestatewidevacancyrateis: |
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| 341 | | - | (1)lessthanfivepercentatthehousehold’stimeofapplication,the |
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| 342 | | - | householdshallreceiveamaximumof90sheltereddaysunderthisProgram |
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| 343 | | - | per12-monthperiod;or |
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| 344 | | - | (2)isequaltoorgreaterthanfivepercentatthehousehold’stimeof |
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| 345 | | - | application,thehouseholdshallreceiveamaximumof45sheltereddaysunder |
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| 346 | | - | thisProgramper12-monthperiod. |
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| 347 | | - | (b)Noperiodsofineligibilityshallbeimposedontheuseofahousehold’s |
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| 348 | | - | maximumpermittedsheltereddays. |
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| 349 | | - | § 2205.HOUSEHOLDPARTICIPATION |
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| 350 | | - | Unlesstheheadofthehouseholdhasadisabilityasevidencedby |
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| 351 | | - | subdivision2203(2)ofthischapterthatpreventstheheadofhousehold’s |
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| 352 | | - | abilitytoparticipateincoordinatedentryandcasemanagementprocesses,a |
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| 353 | | - | participatinghouseholdshelteredpursuanttothischaptershallparticipatein |
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| 374 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 376 | | - | coordinatedentryandcasemanagementprocessesiftemporaryemergency |
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| 377 | | - | shelterinexcessof14daysisrequired,includingcooperatingwiththe |
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| 378 | | - | Departmentandserviceprovidersonscreeningandcareplanning. |
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| 379 | | - | § 2206.APPLICATION;NOTICE;APPEALS |
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| 380 | | - | (a)Allprogramapplicationsandnoticesshalluseplainlanguage. |
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| 381 | | - | (b)TheDepartmentshallprovidewrittennotice,andnoticeinthe |
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| 382 | | - | household’spreferredformofcommunication,ofappealrightsrelatedto |
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| 383 | | - | departmentaldecisionsmadeinthecourseofadministeringtheProgram |
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| 384 | | - | establishedinthischapter,includingappealrightsrelatedtothedenialofan |
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| 385 | | - | initialapplication. |
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| 386 | | - | (c)AhouseholdshelteredinaccordancewiththisProgrammaycontinueto |
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| 387 | | - | remainshelteredwhiletheappealispendinguntilthehousehold’smaximum |
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| 388 | | - | sheltereddaysforthecurrent12-monthperiodhaveexpired. |
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| 389 | | - | § 2207.MONTHLYREPORTING |
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| 390 | | - | Monthly,theDepartmentshallpostthefollowingonitswebsite: |
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| 391 | | - | (1)theannualtotalandaveragemonthlynumberofhouseholds |
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| 392 | | - | participatingintheProgrambyhouseholdsize,byeligibilitycategory,andby |
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| 393 | | - | eachAgencyofHumanServicesdistrict; |
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| 394 | | - | (2)thenumberofalternativehousingplacementsmadeduringthe |
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| 395 | | - | previousreportingperiodcomparedwiththetargetednumberofplacements |
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| 396 | | - | forthatperiod; |
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| 418 | | - | 2025 Page11of39 |
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| 419 | | - | (3)ofthehouseholdssuccessfullyplacedinalternativehousingduring |
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| 420 | | - | thepreviousmonth,thenumberofhouseholdswhosescreeningindicateda |
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| 421 | | - | potentialneedforservicesfromeachdepartmentwithintheAgencyofHuman |
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| 422 | | - | Services; |
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| 423 | | - | (4)thenumberofbedsavailableforemergencyhousingineachAgency |
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| 424 | | - | ofHumanServicesdistrictintheState,withseparatereportingonthenumber |
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| 425 | | - | ofbedsavailableinnursinghomesandresidentialcarehomesforindividuals |
|---|
| 426 | | - | whosescreeningindicatestheycouldmeettheclinicalcriteriaforthose |
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| 427 | | - | settingsandthenumberofemergencybedsavailableforindividualswhose |
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| 428 | | - | screeningindicatestheydonotmeettheclinicalcriteria,includinglow-barrier |
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| 429 | | - | shelters,bedsforyouth,andbedsforindividualswhohaveexperienced |
|---|
| 430 | | - | domesticviolence; |
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| 431 | | - | (5)thenumberofhouseholdsthathavebeensuccessfullytransitionedto |
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| 432 | | - | analternativehousingplacementsincethepreviousreportwasissuedandthe |
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| 433 | | - | typesofhousingsettingsinwhichtheyhavebeenplaced; |
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| 434 | | - | (6)theoutlookfortransitioningadditionalhouseholdstoalternative |
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| 435 | | - | housingplacementsinthecomingmonths,includinganestimateofthe |
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| 436 | | - | numberofhouseholdslikelytobeplacedpermonth; |
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| 437 | | - | (7)thenumberofanddemographicinformationforhouseholds |
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| 438 | | - | obtainingshelterduetoadverseweatherconditionspursuanttosection2208of |
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| 439 | | - | thischapter;and |
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| 460 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 461 | | - | 2025 Page12of39 |
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| 462 | | - | (8)thetotalamountoffundsexpendedduringthemostrecentquarter |
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| 463 | | - | onhousingplacementsandsupportiveservicesforhouseholdstransitioning |
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| 464 | | - | fromtheProgramestablishedinthischapter. |
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| 465 | | - | §2208.WINTERSHELTER |
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| 466 | | - | Totheextentfundingandcapacityexistsandnotwithstandingany |
|---|
| 467 | | - | provisionsofthischaptertothecontrary,theDepartmentshallprovideshelter |
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| 468 | | - | tohouseholdslackingafixed,regular,adequate,nighttimeresidencebetween |
|---|
| 469 | | - | November15andApril15.Ifthereisinadequatecommunity-basedshelter |
|---|
| 470 | | - | spaceavailablewithintheAgencyofHumanServicesdistrictinwhichthe |
|---|
| 471 | | - | householdpresentsitself,thehouseholdshallbeprovidedshelterinahotelor |
|---|
| 472 | | - | motelwithinthedistrict,ifavailable,untiladequatecommunity-basedshelter |
|---|
| 473 | | - | spacebecomesavailableinthedistrict.Shelterinahotelormotelprovided |
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| 474 | | - | pursuanttothissectionshallnotcounttowardthemaximumdaysofeligibility |
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| 475 | | - | per12-monthperiodprovidedinsection2204ofthischapter. |
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| 476 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 477 | | - | Sec.5.RULEMAKING;EMERGENCYTEMPORARYSHELTER |
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| 478 | | - | PROGRAM |
|---|
| 479 | | - | OnorbeforeFebruary15,2026,theDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies |
|---|
| 480 | | - | shallfileaninitialpermanentproposedrulewiththeSecretaryofState |
|---|
| 481 | | - | pursuantto3V.S.A.§836(a)(2)fortheadministrationoftheEmergency |
|---|
| 482 | | - | TemporaryShelterProgramestablishedpursuantto33V.S.A.chapter22. |
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| 503 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 504 | | - | 2025 Page13of39 |
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| 505 | | - | Priortotheadoptionofthepermanentrule,theDepartmentshallfilean |
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| 506 | | - | emergencyrule,whichshallbedeemedtohavemettheemergencyrulemaking |
|---|
| 507 | | - | standardin3V.S.A.§ 844(a),toenabletheoperationoftheEmergency |
|---|
| 508 | | - | TemporaryShelterProgrambeginningonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 509 | | - | ***SunsetofGeneralAssistanceEmergencyHousingProgram*** |
|---|
| 510 | | - | Sec.6.33V.S.A.§ 2115isamendedtoread: |
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| 511 | | - | §2115.GENERALASSISTANCEPROGRAMREPORT |
|---|
| 512 | | - | OnorbeforeSeptember1ofeachyear,theCommissionerforChildrenand |
|---|
| 513 | | - | FamiliesshallsubmitawrittenreporttotheJointFiscalCommittee;theHouse |
|---|
| 514 | | - | CommitteesonAppropriations,onGeneral,Housing,andMilitaryAffairs,and |
|---|
| 515 | | - | onHumanServices;andtheSenateCommitteesonAppropriationsandon |
|---|
| 516 | | - | HealthandWelfare.Thereportshallcontainthefollowing: |
|---|
| 517 | | - | (1)anevaluationoftheGeneralAssistanceprogramduringtheprevious |
|---|
| 518 | | - | fiscalyear; |
|---|
| 519 | | - | (2)anyrecommendationsforchangestotheprogram; |
|---|
| 520 | | - | (3)aplanforcontinuedimplementationoftheprogram; |
|---|
| 521 | | - | (4)statewidestatisticsusingdeidentifieddatarelatedtotheuseof |
|---|
| 522 | | - | emergencyhousingvouchersduringtheprecedingStatefiscalyear,including |
|---|
| 523 | | - | demographicinformation,clientdata,shelterandmotelusagerates,clients’ |
|---|
| 524 | | - | primarystatedcauseofhomelessness,andaveragelengthsofstayin |
|---|
| 525 | | - | emergencyhousingbydemographicgroupandbytypeofhousing;and |
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| 546 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 547 | | - | 2025 Page14of39 |
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| 548 | | - | (5)otherinformationtheCommissionerdeemsappropriate.[Repealed.] |
|---|
| 549 | | - | Sec.7.SUNSET;GENERALASSISTANCEEMERGENCYHOUSING |
|---|
| 550 | | - | PROGRAM |
|---|
| 551 | | - | TheGeneralAssistanceEmergencyHousingProgramshallceasetoexiston |
|---|
| 552 | | - | July1,2026andallrelatedrulesshallbecomeineffectiveonthatdate, |
|---|
| 553 | | - | includingthoseportionsofDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies,General |
|---|
| 554 | | - | Assistance(CVR13-170-260)asamendedbytheDepartmentforChildrenand |
|---|
| 555 | | - | FamiliesunderSecretaryofStaterulefilingnumber24-P42andanyfuture |
|---|
| 556 | | - | ruleadoptedbytheDepartmentpertainingtoemergencyhousing. |
|---|
| 557 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
|---|
| 558 | | - | Sec.8.EFFECTIVEDATES |
|---|
| 559 | | - | Thissection,Sec.1(legislativeintent),andSec.2(EmergencyTemporary |
|---|
| 560 | | - | ShelterProgramAdvisoryCommittee)shalltakeeffectonpassage,andall |
|---|
| 561 | | - | remainingsectionsshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 562 | | - | ***FindingsandLegislativeIntent*** |
|---|
| 563 | | - | Sec.1.FINDINGS |
|---|
| 564 | | - | TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthat: |
|---|
| 565 | | - | (1)accordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrban |
|---|
| 566 | | - | Development’s2024AnnualHomelessnessAssessmentReport,Vermonthad |
|---|
| 567 | | - | thefourthhighestrateofhomelessnessin2024inthat53ofevery10,000 |
|---|
| 568 | | - | 1 |
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| 581 | | - | 14 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
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| 582 | | - | 2025 Page15of39 |
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| 583 | | - | Vermontersareexperiencinghomelessness,withonlyHawaii,NewYork,and |
|---|
| 584 | | - | Oregonexperiencinghigherrates; |
|---|
| 585 | | - | (2)in2023,accordingtothesameAnnualHomelessnessAssessment |
|---|
| 586 | | - | Report,51ofevery10,000Vermonterswereexperiencinghomelessness; |
|---|
| 587 | | - | (3)accordingtotheVermont2024Point-in-TimeCount,therewere |
|---|
| 588 | | - | approximately3,458unhousedindividualsinVermont,whichrepresentsa300 |
|---|
| 589 | | - | percentincreaseoverthe1,110unhousedindividualspriortotheCOVID-19 |
|---|
| 590 | | - | pandemicin2020; |
|---|
| 591 | | - | (4)ofthe3,458unhousedindividualsinVermontidentifiedbythe |
|---|
| 592 | | - | Vermont2024Point-in-TimeCount,166experiencedunsheltered |
|---|
| 593 | | - | homelessness,whichisthehighestcountofunshelteredhomelessindividualsin |
|---|
| 594 | | - | Vermontwithinthepastdecade; |
|---|
| 595 | | - | (5)accordingtotheVermont2024Point-in-TimeCount,over35percent |
|---|
| 596 | | - | ofthoseVermontersexperiencinghomelessnesswereunhousedformorethan |
|---|
| 597 | | - | oneyearandover72percentwereunhousedformorethan90days; |
|---|
| 598 | | - | (6)accordingtotheVermont2024Point-in-TimeCount,737ofthose |
|---|
| 599 | | - | Vermontersexperiencinghomelessnesswerechildrenandyouthunder18years |
|---|
| 600 | | - | ofageand646were55yearsofageorolder; |
|---|
| 601 | | - | (7)accordingtotheVermont2024Point-in-TimeCount,Black |
|---|
| 602 | | - | Vermontersare5.6timesmorelikelytobeunhousedascomparedtowhite |
|---|
| 603 | | - | Vermonters; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 604 | | - | 2025 Page16of39 |
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| 605 | | - | (8)the2024VermontHousingNeedsAssessmentnotesthat36,000 |
|---|
| 606 | | - | primaryhomesareneededinVermontbetween2025–2029,3,295ofwhichare |
|---|
| 607 | | - | neededtoaddresshomelessness;and |
|---|
| 608 | | - | (9)the2024VermontHousingNeedsAssessmentnotesthat“[h]alfof |
|---|
| 609 | | - | allVermontrentersarecost-burdened,andone-in-fourpaymorethan50 |
|---|
| 610 | | - | [percent]oftheirincomeonhousingcosts,puttingthemathighriskof |
|---|
| 611 | | - | eviction,”which“isheightenedbyVermont’srentalvacancyrateof3 |
|---|
| 612 | | - | [percent],whichiswellbelowthe5[percent]rateofahealthymarket.” |
|---|
| 613 | | - | Sec.2.LEGISLATIVEINTENT |
|---|
| 614 | | - | (a)ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythatunshelteredhomelessness |
|---|
| 615 | | - | beeliminatedandthathomelessnessinVermontberare,brief,and |
|---|
| 616 | | - | nonrecurring. |
|---|
| 617 | | - | (b)ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythattheVermontHomeless |
|---|
| 618 | | - | EmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgram |
|---|
| 619 | | - | establishedin33V.S.A.chapter22isasteptowardensuringthat: |
|---|
| 620 | | - | (1)homelessnessbereducedinVermontandinterimshelter |
|---|
| 621 | | - | opportunitiesbeavailabletoprovideastablepathwaytopermanenthousing |
|---|
| 622 | | - | forallVermontersexperiencinghomelessness,includingsafeshelteroptions |
|---|
| 623 | | - | forindividualslivinginunshelteredhomelessness; |
|---|
| 624 | | - | (2)Vermontincreasethesupplyofemergencyshelteraswellas |
|---|
| 625 | | - | permanentsupportivehousingthatmeetsthespecificneedsofindividuals; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 626 | | - | 2025 Page17of39 |
|---|
| 627 | | - | (3)communitycomponentsofallsheltertypesareintegratedina |
|---|
| 628 | | - | systemicmanner; |
|---|
| 629 | | - | (4)timelimits,night-by-nightshelter,relocationbetweeninterimshelter |
|---|
| 630 | | - | sites,andotherdisruptionsinhousingstabilitybeeliminatedtotheextent |
|---|
| 631 | | - | possible; |
|---|
| 632 | | - | (5)Vermont’semergencyhousingstatutes,rules,policies,procedures, |
|---|
| 633 | | - | andpracticesbemodeledonHousingFirstprinciples;and |
|---|
| 634 | | - | (6)noncongregateshelterbeusedtotheextentpossible. |
|---|
| 635 | | - | (c)ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythattheVermontHomeless |
|---|
| 636 | | - | EmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgram |
|---|
| 637 | | - | establishedin33V.S.A.chapter22replacestheprovisionofemergency |
|---|
| 638 | | - | housingthroughtheGeneralAssistanceProgramestablishedin33V.S.A. |
|---|
| 639 | | - | chapter21andtheHousingOpportunityGrantProgram. |
|---|
| 640 | | - | ***VermontHomelessEmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitionto |
|---|
| 641 | | - | HousingProgram*** |
|---|
| 642 | | - | Sec.3.33V.S.A.chapter22isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 643 | | - | CHAPTER22.VERMONTHOMELESSEMERGENCYASSISTANCEAND |
|---|
| 644 | | - | RESPONSIVETRANSITIONTOHOUSINGPROGRAM |
|---|
| 645 | | - | § 2201.SHORTTITLE |
|---|
| 646 | | - | TheProgramestablishedinthischaptermaybecitedas“VHEARTH”or |
|---|
| 647 | | - | the“VHEARTHProgram.” BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 648 | | - | 2025 Page18of39 |
|---|
| 649 | | - | § 2202.PURPOSE |
|---|
| 650 | | - | ItisthepurposeoftheGeneralAssemblytoreplacetheprovisionof |
|---|
| 651 | | - | emergencyhousingthroughtheGeneralAssistanceProgramestablishedin |
|---|
| 652 | | - | chapter21ofthistitleandtheHousingOpportunityGrantProgramanduse |
|---|
| 653 | | - | fundsandresourcespreviouslyattributedtothoseprograms,andanyother |
|---|
| 654 | | - | identifiedStateandfederalmonies,tofundtheVermontHomelessEmergency |
|---|
| 655 | | - | AssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgramestablishedinthis |
|---|
| 656 | | - | chapter. |
|---|
| 657 | | - | § 2203.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 658 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 659 | | - | (1)“At-riskofhomelessness”meansinperilofimminentlylosinga |
|---|
| 660 | | - | primary,night-timeresidenceorprecariouslyhoused. |
|---|
| 661 | | - | (2)“Communityactionagency”meansanagencydesignatedpursuant |
|---|
| 662 | | - | to3V.S.A.chapter59. |
|---|
| 663 | | - | (3)“Community-basedshelter”meansashelterthatmeetsthe |
|---|
| 664 | | - | Department’sstandardsfortheoperationofshelters. |
|---|
| 665 | | - | (4)“Department”meanstheDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies. |
|---|
| 666 | | - | (5)“Extremeweatherevent”meansextremehotorcoldtemperaturesor |
|---|
| 667 | | - | weatherevents,suchashurricanes,flooding,orblizzards,thatcreate |
|---|
| 668 | | - | hazardousconditionsforoutdoorhabitationbyhumans. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 669 | | - | 2025 Page19of39 |
|---|
| 670 | | - | (6)“Homeless”meanslackingafixed,regular,andadequatenighttime |
|---|
| 671 | | - | residence. |
|---|
| 672 | | - | (7)“Household”meansanindividualandanydependentsforwhomthe |
|---|
| 673 | | - | individualislegallyresponsibleandwholiveandintendtostayinVermont. |
|---|
| 674 | | - | “Household”includesindividualswhoresidetogetherasoneeconomicunit, |
|---|
| 675 | | - | includingthosewhoaremarried,partiestoacivilunion,orunmarried. |
|---|
| 676 | | - | (8)“Unshelteredhomelessness”meanssleepinginalocationnot |
|---|
| 677 | | - | designedfororordinarilyusedasaregularsleepingaccommodation. |
|---|
| 678 | | - | § 2204.ESTABLISHMENT;VERMONTHOMELESSEMERGENCY |
|---|
| 679 | | - | ASSISTANCEANDRESPONSIVETRANSITIONTOHOUSING |
|---|
| 680 | | - | PROGRAM |
|---|
| 681 | | - | (a)TheVermontHomelessEmergencyAssistanceandResponsive |
|---|
| 682 | | - | TransitiontoHousingProgramisestablishedintheDepartmentandshallbe |
|---|
| 683 | | - | operatedbycommunityactionagenciesandastatewideorganizationserving |
|---|
| 684 | | - | householdsthatareexperiencingorthathaveexperienceddomesticorsexual |
|---|
| 685 | | - | violence,totheextentfundsexist. |
|---|
| 686 | | - | (b)Communityactionagenciesshallcollaboratewithothercommunity |
|---|
| 687 | | - | partners,includingmunicipalities,theChittendenCountyHomelessAlliance, |
|---|
| 688 | | - | BalanceofStateContinuumofCare,andlocalhousingcoalitions.The |
|---|
| 689 | | - | Programshallutilizecoordinatedentryandshallutilize,butnotduplicate,the |
|---|
| 690 | | - | workofthecommunitypartners.Itshallincludethefollowingcomponents: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 691 | | - | 2025 Page20of39 |
|---|
| 692 | | - | (1)supportiveservicespursuanttosection2205ofthischaptertoassist |
|---|
| 693 | | - | householdsexperiencinghomelessnessorthosehouseholdsthatareat-riskof |
|---|
| 694 | | - | homelessnesspursuanttosection2205ofthischapter: |
|---|
| 695 | | - | (2)extremeweathereventsheltersoperatedorcausedtobeoperatedby |
|---|
| 696 | | - | acommunityactionagencypursuantsection2206ofthischapter;and |
|---|
| 697 | | - | (3)emergencysheltersoperatedorcausedtobeoperatedbya |
|---|
| 698 | | - | communityactionagencypursuanttosection2207ofthischapter. |
|---|
| 699 | | - | (c)TheVermontHomelessEmergencyAssistanceandResponsive |
|---|
| 700 | | - | TransitiontoHousingProgramshallincludesupportiveservicesandshelters |
|---|
| 701 | | - | specifictohouseholdsthatareexperiencingorthathaveexperienceddomestic |
|---|
| 702 | | - | andsexualviolence,whichshallbeprovidedorcausedtobeprovidedbya |
|---|
| 703 | | - | statewideorganizationwithpopulation-specificserviceexperiencepursuantto |
|---|
| 704 | | - | section2208ofthissection. |
|---|
| 705 | | - | §2205.SUPPORTIVESERVICES |
|---|
| 706 | | - | Acommunityactionagency,incollaborationwithothercommunity |
|---|
| 707 | | - | partners,shallofferorcausetobeofferedthefollowingsupportiveservices, |
|---|
| 708 | | - | whichmayvaryintermsofmannerandextentdependingonthelevelof |
|---|
| 709 | | - | shelterahouseholdutilizesorwhetherthehouseholdisatriskofhomelessness |
|---|
| 710 | | - | orexperiencinghomelessness: |
|---|
| 711 | | - | (1)intakeassessmentsandservicesfordiversionfromhomelessness; |
|---|
| 712 | | - | (2)householdneedsassessments; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 713 | | - | 2025 Page21of39 |
|---|
| 714 | | - | (3)individualizedhouseholdplanstoaddressidentifiedneeds; |
|---|
| 715 | | - | (4)assistanceobtainingandretaininghousing,includingfinancial |
|---|
| 716 | | - | assistance; |
|---|
| 717 | | - | (5)referralstootherservicesandsupports; |
|---|
| 718 | | - | (6)peer-supportedservices; |
|---|
| 719 | | - | (7)landlord-tenantoutreach,education,andconflictresolution; |
|---|
| 720 | | - | (8)housingnavigationservices; |
|---|
| 721 | | - | (9)advocacy;and |
|---|
| 722 | | - | (10)progressmonitoringandinterventions. |
|---|
| 723 | | - | § 2206.EXTREMEWEATHEREVENTSHELTER |
|---|
| 724 | | - | Acommunityactionagencyshalloperateorcausetobeoperatedshelters |
|---|
| 725 | | - | intheStatethatshallbeusedduringextremeweathereventstoshelterany |
|---|
| 726 | | - | homelessindividualwhoseeksshelter.Thecommunityactionagencies,in |
|---|
| 727 | | - | collaborationwithcommunitypartners,shallprioritizefundingforextreme |
|---|
| 728 | | - | weathereventsheltersbyutilizingdataavailableunderthissectionand |
|---|
| 729 | | - | consideringgeographicaccess.Ashelterofferedpursuanttothissection |
|---|
| 730 | | - | duringanextremeweathereventmayincludetime-limitedcongregate |
|---|
| 731 | | - | accommodationsandmaybeprovidedthroughagreementstomunicipalitiesor |
|---|
| 732 | | - | otherentities. |
|---|
| 733 | | - | § 2207.EMERGENCYSHELTERS BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 734 | | - | 2025 Page22of39 |
|---|
| 735 | | - | (a)Temporaryshelter.Ataminimum,acommunityactionagencyshall |
|---|
| 736 | | - | serveorcausetobeservedinamannerthatcomplieswithandbuildsuponthe |
|---|
| 737 | | - | federallyrequiredcommunityplanningprocess,householdsthatareprioritized |
|---|
| 738 | | - | andinneedoftheservicesofatemporaryshelter.Acommunityactionagency |
|---|
| 739 | | - | mayprovideorcausetobeprovidedtemporaryshelterthroughcommunity- |
|---|
| 740 | | - | basedshelters,temporaryuseofhotelsormotels,leaseagreementsforfullor |
|---|
| 741 | | - | partialuseofanexistingbuilding,need-specificshelterarrangements,or |
|---|
| 742 | | - | otherarrangementsorcombinationsofarrangementsthatcomplywiththe |
|---|
| 743 | | - | intentofthischapter. |
|---|
| 744 | | - | (b)Transitionalshelter.Acommunityactionagencyshallserveorcauseto |
|---|
| 745 | | - | beservedhouseholdsinitsregioninneedoftheservicesofatransitional |
|---|
| 746 | | - | shelterinamannerthatcomplieswithandbuildsuponthefederallyrequired |
|---|
| 747 | | - | communityplanningprocess.Acommunityactionagencymayprovideor |
|---|
| 748 | | - | causetobeprovidedtransitionalshelterthroughcommunity-basedshelter, |
|---|
| 749 | | - | mastergrantleases,developingsheltercapacity,orotherarrangementsor |
|---|
| 750 | | - | combinationsofarrangementsthatcomplywiththeintentofthischapter. |
|---|
| 751 | | - | § 2208.SUPPORTIVEANDSHELTERSERVICESFORHOUSEHOLDS |
|---|
| 752 | | - | IMPACTEDBYDOMESTICANDSEXUALVIOLENCE |
|---|
| 753 | | - | AspartoftheVermontHomelessEmergencyAssistanceandResponsive |
|---|
| 754 | | - | TransitiontoHousingProgram,theDepartmentshallenterintoanagreement |
|---|
| 755 | | - | withastatewideorganizationwithpopulation-specificexperienceserving BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 756 | | - | 2025 Page23of39 |
|---|
| 757 | | - | householdsthatareexperiencingorthathaveexperienceddomesticandsexual |
|---|
| 758 | | - | violence.Theorganizationshallprovideorcausetobeprovidedvarious |
|---|
| 759 | | - | shelterandcasemanagementservicesthatsupporthouseholds. |
|---|
| 760 | | - | § 2209.VHEARTH;DUTIESOFCOMMUNITYACTIONAGENCIES |
|---|
| 761 | | - | (a)Thecommunityactionagenciesshallserveorcausetobeserved |
|---|
| 762 | | - | householdsthatareexperiencinghomelessnessorthatareatriskof |
|---|
| 763 | | - | homelessnessintheStatebyprovidingsupportiveservices,extremeweather |
|---|
| 764 | | - | eventshelter,oremergencyshelterpursuanttosections2204–2207ofthis |
|---|
| 765 | | - | chapter.Ifacommunityactionagencycannotfulfilitsresponsibilitiesunder |
|---|
| 766 | | - | thischapter,theDepartmentshallworkwithothercommunityactionagencies |
|---|
| 767 | | - | orotherappropriatecommunityentitiestoensurethatthereisnotagapin |
|---|
| 768 | | - | servicesinacommunityactionagency’sregion. |
|---|
| 769 | | - | (b)Acommunityactionagencyprovidingorcausingtoprovideservicesin |
|---|
| 770 | | - | accordancewiththischaptershall: |
|---|
| 771 | | - | (1)haveexistingorplannedinfrastructuretosupporthouseholdsinthe |
|---|
| 772 | | - | region,includinganestablishedleadershipteam,ahumanresourcesstaff,and |
|---|
| 773 | | - | theabilitytoreceivegrantfundingandissuesubgrants; |
|---|
| 774 | | - | (2)havetheabilitytomeettheDepartment’sreportingrequirements, |
|---|
| 775 | | - | includingpasthistoryofreportingcompliance; |
|---|
| 776 | | - | (3)havecommunityconnectionswithotherprovidersintheregion, |
|---|
| 777 | | - | includinglocalhousingcoalitions,housingproviders,providersofcoordinated BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 778 | | - | 2025 Page24of39 |
|---|
| 779 | | - | entry,andprovidersofservicestoindividualswhoareolderVermonters, |
|---|
| 780 | | - | individualswhohavedisabilities,substanceusedisorder,oramentalhealth |
|---|
| 781 | | - | condition;individualsreenteringthecommunityafterincarceration; |
|---|
| 782 | | - | individualstransitioningfromthecareandcustodyoftheCommissionerfor |
|---|
| 783 | | - | ChildrenandFamilies;andfamilieswithchildren;and |
|---|
| 784 | | - | (4)provideplainlanguagecommunicationstohouseholdsreceiving |
|---|
| 785 | | - | services. |
|---|
| 786 | | - | § 2210.VHEARTH;DUTIESOFTHEDEPARTMENT |
|---|
| 787 | | - | (a)TheAgencyofHumanServices,workingwiththeDepartment,shall |
|---|
| 788 | | - | havestatewideresponsibilityformeetingtheintentofthischapter,including |
|---|
| 789 | | - | statewideplanning,systemdevelopment,andtheinvolvementofallthe |
|---|
| 790 | | - | Agency’sdepartments. |
|---|
| 791 | | - | (b)Forthepurposeofprovidingadministrativeoversightandmonitoring |
|---|
| 792 | | - | oftheProgramestablishedinthischapter,theDepartmentshall: |
|---|
| 793 | | - | (1)(A)adoptguidanceregardingwhenextremeweathereventshelters |
|---|
| 794 | | - | shallbeoperated,includingflexibilityforregionalweatherconditions;and |
|---|
| 795 | | - | (B)maintainawebsitewiththelocationsofallextremeweather |
|---|
| 796 | | - | eventshelters; |
|---|
| 797 | | - | (2)includeaspartofanyreviewofacommunityactionagencyrequired |
|---|
| 798 | | - | pursuantto3V.S.A.chapter59,thecommunityactionagency’sabilityto |
|---|
| 799 | | - | performtherequirementsofthischapter; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 800 | | - | 2025 Page25of39 |
|---|
| 801 | | - | (3)(A)consultwiththecommunityactionagenciesandthestatewide |
|---|
| 802 | | - | organizationservinghouseholdsthatareexperiencingorthathave |
|---|
| 803 | | - | experienceddomesticandsexualviolencepursuanttosection2208ofthis |
|---|
| 804 | | - | chapter,todevelopappropriateresourceallocationsandmethodsfor |
|---|
| 805 | | - | adjustmentthattakeintoaccountavailabledata,thepresenceofcommunity- |
|---|
| 806 | | - | basedproviders,andcustomaryresourceallocationmethods,economic |
|---|
| 807 | | - | indicators,rateofhomelessness,rentalvacancyrates,andothervariables,as |
|---|
| 808 | | - | appropriate;and |
|---|
| 809 | | - | (B)annually,distributefundingtoeachcommunityactionagency |
|---|
| 810 | | - | andthestatewideorganizationservinghouseholdsthatareexperiencingor |
|---|
| 811 | | - | thathaveexperienceddomesticandsexualviolencepursuanttosection2208 |
|---|
| 812 | | - | ofthischapterusingtheallocationformuladevelopedpursuanttosubdivision |
|---|
| 813 | | - | (A)ofthissubdivision(3),oriftheDepartmentandcommunityaction |
|---|
| 814 | | - | agenciesagree,disperseajointallocationforallcommunityactionagencies, |
|---|
| 815 | | - | whichthecommunityactionagenciesshalldeterminehowtodistribute |
|---|
| 816 | | - | amongstthemselves; |
|---|
| 817 | | - | (4)consultwiththecommunityactionagenciesandthestatewide |
|---|
| 818 | | - | organizationservinghouseholdsthatareexperiencingorthathave |
|---|
| 819 | | - | experienceddomesticandsexualviolencepursuanttosection2208ofthis |
|---|
| 820 | | - | chaptertodevelopappropriatemeasuresandmethodsforaccountabilityofthe |
|---|
| 821 | | - | communityactionagencies’andthestatewideorganization’sexecutionof BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 822 | | - | 2025 Page26of39 |
|---|
| 823 | | - | dutiesunderthischapter,includingtheprovisionofanypreviouslyagreed |
|---|
| 824 | | - | uponinformationtoenabletheDepartmenttoevaluatetheservicesprovided |
|---|
| 825 | | - | throughgrantfunds,theeffectonhouseholdsreceivingservices,andan |
|---|
| 826 | | - | accountingofexpendedgrantfunds; |
|---|
| 827 | | - | (5)providesupportandtechnicalassistancetothecommunityaction |
|---|
| 828 | | - | agencies,othercommunitypartners,andthestatewideorganizationserving |
|---|
| 829 | | - | householdsthatareexperiencingorthathaveexperienceddomesticandsexual |
|---|
| 830 | | - | violencepursuanttosection2208ofthischapter; |
|---|
| 831 | | - | (6)identifyspecificadministrativeresourcesthatcouldbetransitioned |
|---|
| 832 | | - | tocommunityoperations; |
|---|
| 833 | | - | (7)developandsubmitstandardsfortheoperationofcommunity-based |
|---|
| 834 | | - | shelters; |
|---|
| 835 | | - | (8)adoptrulespursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25,inconsultationwiththe |
|---|
| 836 | | - | communityactionagenciesandthestatewideorganizationservinghouseholds |
|---|
| 837 | | - | thatareexperiencingorthathaveexperienceddomesticandsexualviolence |
|---|
| 838 | | - | pursuanttosection2208ofthischapter,asappropriate,forthe |
|---|
| 839 | | - | implementationofthischapter,includingaccommodationsforindividualswith |
|---|
| 840 | | - | adisability. |
|---|
| 841 | | - | § 2211.REGIONALPLANNING;NEEDSASSESSMENTS |
|---|
| 842 | | - | (a)Aspartoftheplanrequiredpursuantto3V.S.A.chapter59andthe |
|---|
| 843 | | - | federallyrequiredplanningandneedsassessmentsforthecontinuumsofcare, BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 844 | | - | 2025 Page27of39 |
|---|
| 845 | | - | thecommunityactionagenciesshalldeveloparegionalneedsassessmentand |
|---|
| 846 | | - | planningprocess,incollaborationwithcommunityandStatepartners,foruse |
|---|
| 847 | | - | ineachcommunityactionagency’sregiontoinformfutureplansaddressing |
|---|
| 848 | | - | housingandhomelessnessineachregionoftheState.Theplansshallinclude: |
|---|
| 849 | | - | (1)addressingprogressinreducingthenumberofhouseholds |
|---|
| 850 | | - | experiencinghomelessnessinaregion; |
|---|
| 851 | | - | (2)assessingtheratehouseholdsplacedinpermanenthousingreturnto |
|---|
| 852 | | - | homelessnessandtheunderlyingreasons; |
|---|
| 853 | | - | (3)identifyingresourcesdevelopedandutilizedintheregiontoaddress |
|---|
| 854 | | - | homelessness; |
|---|
| 855 | | - | (4)reportingtherateofhouseholdparticipationwithcoordinatedentry |
|---|
| 856 | | - | processesandcasemanagementservices; |
|---|
| 857 | | - | (5)identifyingsystemgapsandthefundingneededtoaddressthose |
|---|
| 858 | | - | gaps,includingperiodicinflationaryadjustments;and |
|---|
| 859 | | - | (6)utilizingdata,includingVermont’sPoint-in-TimeCount, |
|---|
| 860 | | - | coordinatedentryassessmentresults,andcommunityconversations. |
|---|
| 861 | | - | (b)Eachcommunityactionagencyshallsubmitplansdevelopedpursuant |
|---|
| 862 | | - | tothissectiontotheDepartmentinaformatprescribedbytheDepartment. |
|---|
| 863 | | - | TheDepartmentshallaggregatetheresultsofthesereportsandsubmitthe |
|---|
| 864 | | - | aggregatedreporttotheHouseCommitteeonHumanServicesandtothe |
|---|
| 865 | | - | SenateCommitteeonHealthandWelfare. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 866 | | - | 2025 Page28of39 |
|---|
| 867 | | - | § 2212.USEOFHOTELANDMOTELROOMS |
|---|
| 868 | | - | (a)Hotelsandmotelsprovidingemergencyshelterpursuanttothischapter |
|---|
| 869 | | - | shallcomplywithProgramrulesandshallcomplywiththefollowing: |
|---|
| 870 | | - | (1)DepartmentofHealth,LicensedLodgingEstablishmentRule(CVR |
|---|
| 871 | | - | 13-140-023);and |
|---|
| 872 | | - | (2)DepartmentofPublicSafety,VermontFireandBuildingSafetyCode |
|---|
| 873 | | - | (CVR28-070-001). |
|---|
| 874 | | - | (b)Annually,theDepartmentshallproposehotelandmotelratesaspartof |
|---|
| 875 | | - | itsbudgetpresentationforapprovalbytheGeneralAssembly.Acommunity |
|---|
| 876 | | - | actionagencyshallnotpayorcausetobepaidwithStatemoniesaperroom, |
|---|
| 877 | | - | pernightbasisthatexceedstherateapprovedbytheGeneralAssembly. |
|---|
| 878 | | - | (c)Totheextentpossible,ifahotelormotelisbeingutilized: |
|---|
| 879 | | - | (1)acommunityactionagencyshallenterintoagreementsfortheuseof |
|---|
| 880 | | - | blocksofhotelandmotelroomsandnegotiatetheconditionsofuseforthose |
|---|
| 881 | | - | blocks,includingaccessforprovidersofcasemanagementorothersupportive |
|---|
| 882 | | - | services;and |
|---|
| 883 | | - | (2)prioritizetheuseofhotelandmotelroomagreementsover |
|---|
| 884 | | - | individualper-room,per-nighthotelormotelroomuse,unlessitisnot |
|---|
| 885 | | - | appropriatetoahousehold’sneeds. |
|---|
| 886 | | - | Sec.4.VERMONTHOMELESSEMERGENCYASSISTANCEAND |
|---|
| 887 | | - | RESPONSIVETRANSITIONTOHOUSINGPROGRAM BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 888 | | - | 2025 Page29of39 |
|---|
| 889 | | - | IMPLEMENTATIONADVISORYCOMMITTEE |
|---|
| 890 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheVermontHomelessEmergency |
|---|
| 891 | | - | AssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgramImplementation |
|---|
| 892 | | - | AdvisoryCommitteetoprovideadviceandrecommendationstothe |
|---|
| 893 | | - | CommissionerforChildrenandFamiliesandtothecommunityaction |
|---|
| 894 | | - | agenciesasdefinedin33V.S.A.chapter22regardingthedesign, |
|---|
| 895 | | - | implementation,andtransitiontotheVermontHomelessEmergencyAssistance |
|---|
| 896 | | - | andResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgramestablishedin33V.S.A. |
|---|
| 897 | | - | chapter22,includingadviceandrecommendationsontheimplementationplan |
|---|
| 898 | | - | requiredpursuanttoSec.5ofthisact. |
|---|
| 899 | | - | (b)Membership.TheAdvisoryCommittee’smembershipshallreflectthe |
|---|
| 900 | | - | growingdiversityamongVermonters,includingindividualswhoareBlack, |
|---|
| 901 | | - | Indigenous,andPersonsofColor,aswellaswithregardtosocioeconomic |
|---|
| 902 | | - | status,geographiclocation,gender,sexualidentity,anddisabilitystatusand |
|---|
| 903 | | - | shallbecomposedof: |
|---|
| 904 | | - | (1)fiverepresentativeswithlivedexperienceofhomelessness,appointed |
|---|
| 905 | | - | bytheChittendenCountyHomelessAllianceandtheBalanceofState |
|---|
| 906 | | - | ContinuumofCare; |
|---|
| 907 | | - | (2)fiverepresentatives,oneappointedbyeachofthecommunityaction |
|---|
| 908 | | - | agencies; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 909 | | - | 2025 Page30of39 |
|---|
| 910 | | - | (3)onerepresentative,appointedbytheChittendenCountyHomeless |
|---|
| 911 | | - | Alliance; |
|---|
| 912 | | - | (4)onerepresentative,appointedbytheBalanceofStateContinuumof |
|---|
| 913 | | - | Care; |
|---|
| 914 | | - | (5)fiverepresentativesoflocalhousingcoalitions,includingatleast |
|---|
| 915 | | - | twoofwhomareshelterproviders,appointedjointlybytheChittendenCounty |
|---|
| 916 | | - | HomelessAllianceandtheBalanceofStateContinuumofCare; |
|---|
| 917 | | - | (6)theDeputyCommissioneroftheDepartmentforChildrenand |
|---|
| 918 | | - | Families’EconomicServicesDivisionordesignee;and |
|---|
| 919 | | - | (7)theDirectoroftheDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies’Officeof |
|---|
| 920 | | - | EconomicOpportunityordesignee. |
|---|
| 921 | | - | (c)Assistance.TheAdvisoryCommitteeshallhavetheadministrative, |
|---|
| 922 | | - | technical,andlegalassistanceoftheDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies. |
|---|
| 923 | | - | (d)Meetings. |
|---|
| 924 | | - | (1)TheCommissionershallcallthefirstmeetingoftheAdvisory |
|---|
| 925 | | - | CommitteetooccuronorbeforeJuly15,2025. |
|---|
| 926 | | - | (2)TheCommitteeshallselectco-chairsfromamongitsmembersatthe |
|---|
| 927 | | - | firstmeetingatleastoneofwhomisnotaStateemployee. |
|---|
| 928 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
|---|
| 929 | | - | (4)TheAdvisoryCommitteemaydivideintosubcommitteestocarryout |
|---|
| 930 | | - | itsdutiesunderthissectionandsubcommitteesmayincludeindividualsnot BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 931 | | - | 2025 Page31of39 |
|---|
| 932 | | - | appointedtotheAdvisoryCommitteepursuanttosubsection(b)ofthissection, |
|---|
| 933 | | - | includingrepresentativesofindividualswhoareolderVermonters,individuals |
|---|
| 934 | | - | whohavedisabilities,substanceusedisorder,oramentalhealthcondition; |
|---|
| 935 | | - | individualsreenteringthecommunityafterincarceration;individuals |
|---|
| 936 | | - | transitioningfromthecareandcustodyoftheCommissionerforChildrenand |
|---|
| 937 | | - | Families;andfamilieswithchildren. |
|---|
| 938 | | - | (e)Compensationandreimbursement.MembersoftheAdvisory |
|---|
| 939 | | - | Committeeshallbeentitledtoperdiemcompensationandreimbursementof |
|---|
| 940 | | - | expensesaspermittedunder32 V.S.A.§ 1010fornotmorethan12meetings |
|---|
| 941 | | - | annually.Thesepaymentsshallbemadefrommoniesappropriatedtothe |
|---|
| 942 | | - | Department. |
|---|
| 943 | | - | (f)Sunset.TheAdvisoryCommitteeshallceasetoexistonJuly1,2029. |
|---|
| 944 | | - | Sec.5.IMPLEMENTATIONPLAN |
|---|
| 945 | | - | OnorbeforeFebruary1,2026,theDepartmentforChildrenandFamilies, |
|---|
| 946 | | - | incollaborationwithcommunityactionagenciesandinconsultationwiththe |
|---|
| 947 | | - | departmentsoftheAgencyofHumanServicesandtheVermontHomeless |
|---|
| 948 | | - | EmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgram |
|---|
| 949 | | - | ImplementationAdvisoryCommitteeestablishedpursuanttoSec.4ofthisact, |
|---|
| 950 | | - | shallsubmitaplantotheHouseCommitteeonHumanServicesandtothe |
|---|
| 951 | | - | SenateCommitteeonHealthandWelfarefortheimplementationofthe |
|---|
| 952 | | - | VermontHomelessEmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitionto BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 953 | | - | 2025 Page32of39 |
|---|
| 954 | | - | HousingProgramestablishedby33V.S.A.chapter22thatensuresmaximum |
|---|
| 955 | | - | flexibilityfortheuseofresourcesandstreamlinesprocessesforProgram |
|---|
| 956 | | - | participants.Specifically,theimplementationplanshalladdress: |
|---|
| 957 | | - | (1)fundingallocationsamongthecommunityactionagenciesandother |
|---|
| 958 | | - | providers,includingforservicesspecifictohouseholdsthatareexperiencing |
|---|
| 959 | | - | orthathaveexperienceddomesticorsexualviolence; |
|---|
| 960 | | - | (2)additionalStateandfederalfundingandotherresourcesidentified |
|---|
| 961 | | - | fortheProgram; |
|---|
| 962 | | - | (3)appropriatemeasuresandmethodsofaccountabilityinfulfillingthe |
|---|
| 963 | | - | intentofthisactforcommunityactionagencies,theorganizationserving |
|---|
| 964 | | - | householdsthatareexperiencingorthathaveexperienceddomesticandsexual |
|---|
| 965 | | - | violence,andcommunitypartners; |
|---|
| 966 | | - | (4)appropriatesupportiveservicesspecifictothelevelofsheltera |
|---|
| 967 | | - | householdutilizes,orwhetherthehouseholdisatriskofhomelessness,or |
|---|
| 968 | | - | experiencingunshelteredhomelessness; |
|---|
| 969 | | - | (5)establishinganappealsprocessthatincludesahearingbeforethe |
|---|
| 970 | | - | HumanServicesBoardandanoptionforanexpeditedappealsprocess; |
|---|
| 971 | | - | (6)expandeduseof211withintheintakesystem; |
|---|
| 972 | | - | (7)whethercontinuationinemergencysheltershouldincludean |
|---|
| 973 | | - | expectationregardinghouseholdparticipationincasemanagementservicesor |
|---|
| 974 | | - | otherexpectationssuchasnightlimitsontheuseofhotelsandmotels,andif BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 975 | | - | 2025 Page33of39 |
|---|
| 976 | | - | so,whatelementsandinwhatcircumstancesparticipationincase |
|---|
| 977 | | - | managementservicesorotherexpectationsshouldbeapplied; |
|---|
| 978 | | - | (8)whethertheuseofemergencysheltershouldincludefinancial |
|---|
| 979 | | - | participation,andifso,whatthatparticipationshouldinclude; |
|---|
| 980 | | - | (9)howprioritizationshouldoccurforemergencytemporaryshelter |
|---|
| 981 | | - | andwhatprioritycategoriesshouldexistwithinthoseparameters; |
|---|
| 982 | | - | (10)howtobestensurethatthereisequitableaccesstoshelterand |
|---|
| 983 | | - | supportiveservicesforhouseholdsexperiencinghomelessness; |
|---|
| 984 | | - | (11)theappropriatelevelofrequiredintakeandassessmentprocesses |
|---|
| 985 | | - | foreachofthevariouslevelsofshelterthatahouseholdmayutilizefor |
|---|
| 986 | | - | householdsthatareatriskofhomelessnessandforhouseholdsexperiencing |
|---|
| 987 | | - | unshelteredhomelessness;and |
|---|
| 988 | | - | (12)anyanticipatedchallengesrequiringalegislativesolution. |
|---|
| 989 | | - | ***CommunityActionAgencies*** |
|---|
| 990 | | - | Sec.6.3V.S.A.chapter59isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 991 | | - | CHAPTER59.COMMUNITYSERVICESACTIONAGENCIES |
|---|
| 992 | | - | §3901.FINDINGSANDPURPOSE |
|---|
| 993 | | - | (a)Recognizingthattheeconomicwell-beingandsocialequityofevery |
|---|
| 994 | | - | VermonterhaslongbeenafundamentalconcernoftheState,itremains |
|---|
| 995 | | - | evidentthatpovertycontinuestobethelotofasubstantialnumberof |
|---|
| 996 | | - | Vermont’spopulationcontinuestoexperiencepoverty.Itisthepolicyofthis BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 997 | | - | 2025 Page34of39 |
|---|
| 998 | | - | theStatetohelpdevelopthefullpotentialofeachofitscitizenssotheycan |
|---|
| 999 | | - | contributetothefullestextentpossibletothelifeofourcommunitiesandthe |
|---|
| 1000 | | - | Stateasawhole. |
|---|
| 1001 | | - | (b)Itisthepurposeofthischaptertostrengthen,supplement,and |
|---|
| 1002 | | - | coordinateeffortsthatfurtherthispolicythrough: |
|---|
| 1003 | | - | (1)thestrengtheningofcommunitycapabilitiesforplanning, |
|---|
| 1004 | | - | coordinating,andmanagingfederal,State,andothersourcesofassistance |
|---|
| 1005 | | - | relatedtotheproblemofpoverty; |
|---|
| 1006 | | - | (2)thebetterorganizationandutilizationofarangeofservicesrelated |
|---|
| 1007 | | - | totheneedsofthepoorindividualswithlowincome;and |
|---|
| 1008 | | - | (3)thebroadeningoftheresourcebaseofprogramstosecureamore |
|---|
| 1009 | | - | activeroleinassistingthepoorindividualswithlowincomefrombusiness, |
|---|
| 1010 | | - | labor,andothergroupsfromtheprivatesector. |
|---|
| 1011 | | - | §3902.OFFICEOFECONOMICOPPORTUNITY |
|---|
| 1012 | | - | (a)TheDirectoroftheOfficeofEconomicOpportunityishereby |
|---|
| 1013 | | - | authorizedtoallocateavailablefinancialassistanceforcommunityservices |
|---|
| 1014 | | - | actionagenciesandprogramsinaccordancewithStateandfederallawand |
|---|
| 1015 | | - | regulation. |
|---|
| 1016 | | - | (b)TheDirectormayprovidefinancialassistancetocommunityservices |
|---|
| 1017 | | - | actionagenciesfortheplanning,conduct,administration,andevaluationof |
|---|
| 1018 | | - | communityserviceactionprogramstoprovidearangeofservicesand BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 1019 | | - | 2025 Page35of39 |
|---|
| 1020 | | - | activitieshavingameasurableandpotentiallymajorimpactoncausesof |
|---|
| 1021 | | - | povertyinthecommunityorinareasofthecommunitywherepovertyisa |
|---|
| 1022 | | - | particularlyacuteproblem.Componentsofthoseservicesandactivitiesmay |
|---|
| 1023 | | - | involve,withoutlimitationofotheractivitiesandsupportingfacilitiesdesigned |
|---|
| 1024 | | - | toassistlowincomeparticipantswithlowincome: |
|---|
| 1025 | | - | (1)tosecureandretainmeaningfulemployment; |
|---|
| 1026 | | - | (2)toobtainadequateeducation; |
|---|
| 1027 | | - | (3)tomakebetteruseofavailableincome; |
|---|
| 1028 | | - | (4)toprovideandmaintainadequatehousingandasuitableliving |
|---|
| 1029 | | - | environmenthaveaccesstosafe,secure,permanenthousing; |
|---|
| 1030 | | - | (5)toobtainprevention,intervention,treatment,andrecoveryservices |
|---|
| 1031 | | - | forthepreventionofnarcoticsaddiction,alcoholism,andfortherehabilitation |
|---|
| 1032 | | - | ofnarcoticaddictsandalcoholicsindividualswithsubstanceusedisorder; |
|---|
| 1033 | | - | (6)toobtainemergencyassistancethroughloansandgrantstomeet |
|---|
| 1034 | | - | immediateandurgentindividualandfamilyneeds,includingtheneedfor |
|---|
| 1035 | | - | healthservices,nutritiousfood,housing,andunemployment-related |
|---|
| 1036 | | - | assistance; |
|---|
| 1037 | | - | (7)toremoveobstaclesandsolvepersonalandfamilyproblemswhich |
|---|
| 1038 | | - | thatblockachievementofself-sufficiency; |
|---|
| 1039 | | - | (8)toachievegreaterparticipationintheaffairsofthecommunity; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 1040 | | - | 2025 Page36of39 |
|---|
| 1041 | | - | (9)tomakemorefrequentandeffectiveuseofotherprogramsrelatedto |
|---|
| 1042 | | - | thepurposesofthischapter;and |
|---|
| 1043 | | - | (10)tocoordinateandestablishlinkagesbetweengovernmentaland |
|---|
| 1044 | | - | othersocialserviceprogramstoassureensuretheeffectivedeliveryofsuch |
|---|
| 1045 | | - | servicestolow-incomepersons;withlowincomeandtoencouragetheuseof |
|---|
| 1046 | | - | entitiesintheprivatesectorofthecommunityineffortstoamelioratepoverty |
|---|
| 1047 | | - | inthecommunity. |
|---|
| 1048 | | - | (c)TheDirectorisauthorizedtoadoptrulespursuanttochapter25ofthis |
|---|
| 1049 | | - | titleappropriatetothecarryingoutofthischapterandthepurposesthereof. |
|---|
| 1050 | | - | §3903.DESIGNATIONOFAGENCIESTOPROVIDESERVICESAND |
|---|
| 1051 | | - | ACTIVITIESTOAMELIORATEORELIMINATEPOVERTY |
|---|
| 1052 | | - | TheDirectorshalldesignateprivatenonprofitcommunitybased |
|---|
| 1053 | | - | organizationswhothathavedemonstratedorwhothatcandemonstratethe |
|---|
| 1054 | | - | abilitytoprovideservicesandactivitiesasdefinedinsubsection3902(b)of |
|---|
| 1055 | | - | thistitleascommunityservicesactionagencies. |
|---|
| 1056 | | - | §3904.COMMUNITYSERVICESACTIONAGENCYPLAN |
|---|
| 1057 | | - | Eachdesignatedcommunityservicesactionagencyshalldeterminethe |
|---|
| 1058 | | - | needforactivitiesandserviceswithintheareaservedbytheagencyandshall |
|---|
| 1059 | | - | thereafterprepareacommunityservicesplanwhichthatdescribesthemethod |
|---|
| 1060 | | - | bywhichtheagencywillprovidethoseservices.Theplanshallincludea |
|---|
| 1061 | | - | schedulefortheanticipatedprovisionofneworadditionalservicesandshall BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 1062 | | - | 2025 Page37of39 |
|---|
| 1063 | | - | specifytheresourceswhichthatareneededbyandavailabletotheagencyto |
|---|
| 1064 | | - | implementtheplan.Thecommunityservicesplanshallbecompletedevery |
|---|
| 1065 | | - | threeyearsandupdatedannually.Theplanshallincludetheregionalneeds |
|---|
| 1066 | | - | assessmentrequiredunder33V.S.A.§ 2211. |
|---|
| 1067 | | - | §3905.COMMUNITYSERVICESACTIONAGENCIES; |
|---|
| 1068 | | - | ADMINISTRATION |
|---|
| 1069 | | - | (a)Eachcommunityservicesactionagencyshalladministeritsprograms |
|---|
| 1070 | | - | assetoutinthecommunityservicesplanandasapprovedbyitsboardof |
|---|
| 1071 | | - | directors. |
|---|
| 1072 | | - | (b)Eachboardofanonprofitcommunity-basedorganizationthatis |
|---|
| 1073 | | - | designatedacommunityservicesactionagencyundersection3903ofthis |
|---|
| 1074 | | - | chaptershallhaveanexecutivecommitteeofnotmorethansevenmembers |
|---|
| 1075 | | - | whoshallberepresentativeofthecompositionoftheboardandtheboardshall |
|---|
| 1076 | | - | besoconstitutedthat: |
|---|
| 1077 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 1078 | | - | (2)one-thirdofthemembersoftheboardarepersonschosenin |
|---|
| 1079 | | - | accordancewithelectionproceduresadequatetoassureensurethattheyare |
|---|
| 1080 | | - | representativeofthepoorindividualswithlowincomeintheareaserved;and |
|---|
| 1081 | | - | (3)theremainderofthemembersoftheboardareofficialsormembers |
|---|
| 1082 | | - | ofbusiness,industry,labor,religious,welfare,education,orothermajor |
|---|
| 1083 | | - | groupsandinterestsinthecommunity. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 1084 | | - | 2025 Page38of39 |
|---|
| 1085 | | - | (c)Eachmemberoftheaboardselectedtorepresentaspecificgeographic |
|---|
| 1086 | | - | areawithinacommunityshallresideintheareaheorshethemember |
|---|
| 1087 | | - | represents.Nopersonselectedundersubdivisions(2)or(3)ofsubsection(b) |
|---|
| 1088 | | - | asamemberofaboardshallserveonsuchboardformorethanfive |
|---|
| 1089 | | - | consecutiveyears,ormorethanatotalof10yearsEachboardshalladopt |
|---|
| 1090 | | - | termlimitstogovernitsmembers. |
|---|
| 1091 | | - | ***Appropriations*** |
|---|
| 1092 | | - | Sec.7.APPROPRIATION;TRANSITIONPLANNING |
|---|
| 1093 | | - | Infiscalyear2026,$10,000,000.00ofone-timefundingisappropriated |
|---|
| 1094 | | - | fromtheGeneralFundasfollows: |
|---|
| 1095 | | - | (1)$6,500,000.00totheDepartmentforChildrenandFamiliesfor |
|---|
| 1096 | | - | distributiontothecommunityactionagenciesandthestatewideorganization |
|---|
| 1097 | | - | servinghouseholdsexperiencingorwhohaveexperienceddomesticandsexual |
|---|
| 1098 | | - | violence; |
|---|
| 1099 | | - | (2)$500,000.00totheDepartmentforChildrenandFamiliesfor |
|---|
| 1100 | | - | contractualandothersystemtransformationassistance;and |
|---|
| 1101 | | - | (3)$3,000,000.00totheDepartmentforChildrenandFamiliesforthe |
|---|
| 1102 | | - | continueddevelopmentofsheltercapacityintheState. |
|---|
| 1103 | | - | Sec.8.FUTUREAPPROPRIATIONS;LEGISLATIVEINTENT |
|---|
| 1104 | | - | ItistheintentoftheGeneralAssemblythatinfiscalyear2027and |
|---|
| 1105 | | - | thereafter,equivalentfundsandresources,baseandone-time,usedinfiscal BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.91 |
|---|
| 1106 | | - | 2025 Page39of39 |
|---|
| 1107 | | - | year2025forGeneralAssistanceemergencyhousingandtheHousing |
|---|
| 1108 | | - | OpportunityGrantProgramberedesignatedfortheVermontHomeless |
|---|
| 1109 | | - | EmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousingProgram |
|---|
| 1110 | | - | pursuantto33V.S.A.chapter22. |
|---|
| 1111 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
|---|
| 1112 | | - | Sec.9.EFFECTIVEDATES |
|---|
| 1113 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025,exceptthatSec.3(Vermont |
|---|
| 1114 | | - | HomelessEmergencyAssistanceandResponsiveTransitiontoHousing |
|---|
| 1115 | | - | Program)shalltakeeffectonJuly1,2026. |
|---|
| 1 | + | BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 2 | + | 2025 Page 1 of 14 |
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| 3 | + | |
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| 4 | + | |
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| 5 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 6 | + | H.91 1 |
|---|
| 7 | + | Introduced by Representatives McGill of Bridport, Cole of Hartford, Cordes of 2 |
|---|
| 8 | + | Bristol, Garofano of Essex, and Wood of Waterbury 3 |
|---|
| 9 | + | Referred to Committee on 4 |
|---|
| 10 | + | Date: 5 |
|---|
| 11 | + | Subject: Human services; shelter; emergency temporary shelter 6 |
|---|
| 12 | + | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the 7 |
|---|
| 13 | + | Emergency Temporary Shelter Program to replace the General Assistance 8 |
|---|
| 14 | + | Emergency Housing Program. 9 |
|---|
| 15 | + | An act relating to the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program 10 |
|---|
| 16 | + | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 11 |
|---|
| 17 | + | * * * Legislative Intent * * * 12 |
|---|
| 18 | + | Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT 13 |
|---|
| 19 | + | It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Emergency Temporary 14 |
|---|
| 20 | + | Shelter Program established in 33 V.S.A. chapter 22 is a step toward ensuring 15 |
|---|
| 21 | + | that: 16 |
|---|
| 22 | + | (1) unsheltered homelessness be eliminated in Vermont and interim 17 |
|---|
| 23 | + | shelter opportunities be available to provide a stable pathway to permanent 18 |
|---|
| 24 | + | housing for all Vermonters experiencing homelessness; 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 25 | + | 2025 Page 2 of 14 |
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| 26 | + | |
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| 27 | + | |
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| 28 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
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| 29 | + | (2) arbitrary time limits, night-by-night shelter, relocation between 1 |
|---|
| 30 | + | interim housing sites, and other disruptions in housing stability be eliminated; 2 |
|---|
| 31 | + | (3) noncongregate housing be used to the greatest extent possible; 3 |
|---|
| 32 | + | (4) Vermont’s emergency housing statutes, rules, policies, and practices 4 |
|---|
| 33 | + | incorporate Housing First principles, trauma-informed practices, and emerging 5 |
|---|
| 34 | + | best practices, including: 6 |
|---|
| 35 | + | (A) immediate access to shelter without housing readiness 7 |
|---|
| 36 | + | requirements; and 8 |
|---|
| 37 | + | (B) voluntary supportive services designed to support housing 9 |
|---|
| 38 | + | stability; and 10 |
|---|
| 39 | + | (5) Vermont increase the supply of interim shelter that is geographically 11 |
|---|
| 40 | + | and physically accessible to individuals with a disability and that addresses the 12 |
|---|
| 41 | + | range of needs among individuals with a disability. 13 |
|---|
| 42 | + | * * * Emergency Temporary Shelter Program * * * 14 |
|---|
| 43 | + | Sec. 2. 33 V.S.A. chapter 22 is added to read: 15 |
|---|
| 44 | + | CHAPTER 22. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM 16 |
|---|
| 45 | + | § 2209. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM ADVISORY 17 |
|---|
| 46 | + | COMMITTEE 18 |
|---|
| 47 | + | (a) Creation. There is created the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program 19 |
|---|
| 48 | + | Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the 20 |
|---|
| 49 | + | Commissioner regarding the implementation, administration, and operation of 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
|---|
| 50 | + | 2025 Page 3 of 14 |
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| 51 | + | |
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| 52 | + | |
|---|
| 53 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
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| 54 | + | the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program from the perspective of individuals 1 |
|---|
| 55 | + | with lived experience of homelessness. 2 |
|---|
| 56 | + | (b) Membership. Each coordinated entry lead agency shall appoint an 3 |
|---|
| 57 | + | individual with lived experience of homelessness in Vermont to serve on the 4 |
|---|
| 58 | + | Advisory Committee established in this section. The Advisory Committee’s 5 |
|---|
| 59 | + | membership shall reflect the growing diversity among Vermonters, including 6 |
|---|
| 60 | + | individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color, as well as with 7 |
|---|
| 61 | + | regard to socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, sexual identity, 8 |
|---|
| 62 | + | and disability status. 9 |
|---|
| 63 | + | (c) Assistance. The Advisory Committee shall have the administrative, 10 |
|---|
| 64 | + | technical, and legal assistance of the Department for Children and Families. 11 |
|---|
| 65 | + | (d) Meetings. 12 |
|---|
| 66 | + | (1) The Commissioner shall call the first meeting of the Advisory 13 |
|---|
| 67 | + | Committee to occur on or before July 15, 2025. 14 |
|---|
| 68 | + | (2) The Committee shall select a chair or co-chairs from among its 15 |
|---|
| 69 | + | members at the first meeting. 16 |
|---|
| 70 | + | (3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. 17 |
|---|
| 71 | + | (e) Compensation and reimbursement. Members of the Advisory 18 |
|---|
| 72 | + | Committee shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of 19 |
|---|
| 73 | + | expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than 12 meetings 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
|---|
| 74 | + | 2025 Page 4 of 14 |
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| 75 | + | |
|---|
| 76 | + | |
|---|
| 77 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 78 | + | annually. These payments shall be made from monies appropriated to the 1 |
|---|
| 79 | + | Department. 2 |
|---|
| 80 | + | Sec. 3. REPEAL; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM 3 |
|---|
| 81 | + | ADVISORY COMMITTEE 4 |
|---|
| 82 | + | 33 V.S.A. § 2209 (Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Advisory 5 |
|---|
| 83 | + | Committee) is repealed on July 1, 2029. 6 |
|---|
| 84 | + | Sec. 4. 33 V.S.A. chapter 22 is amended to read: 7 |
|---|
| 85 | + | CHAPTER 22. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM 8 |
|---|
| 86 | + | § 2201. DEFINITIONS 9 |
|---|
| 87 | + | As used in this chapter: 10 |
|---|
| 88 | + | (1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Children and 11 |
|---|
| 89 | + | Families. 12 |
|---|
| 90 | + | (2) “Community-based shelter” means a shelter that meets the Vermont 13 |
|---|
| 91 | + | Housing Opportunity Grant Program’s Standards of Provision of Assistance. 14 |
|---|
| 92 | + | (3) “Department” means the Department for Children and Families. 15 |
|---|
| 93 | + | (4) “Household” means an individual and any dependents for whom the 16 |
|---|
| 94 | + | individual is legally responsible and who live in Vermont. “Household” 17 |
|---|
| 95 | + | includes individuals who reside together as one economic unit, including those 18 |
|---|
| 96 | + | who are married, parties to a civil union, or unmarried. 19 |
|---|
| 97 | + | (5) “Statewide vacancy rate” means the Vermont-specific rental vacancy 20 |
|---|
| 98 | + | rate as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 99 | + | 2025 Page 5 of 14 |
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| 100 | + | |
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| 101 | + | |
|---|
| 102 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 103 | + | § 2202. ESTABLISHMENT; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER 1 |
|---|
| 104 | + | PROGRAM 2 |
|---|
| 105 | + | (a) The Emergency Temporary Shelter Program is established within the 3 |
|---|
| 106 | + | Department for Children and Families for the purpose of temporarily sheltering 4 |
|---|
| 107 | + | households pursuant to the eligibility criteria in section 2203 of this chapter in 5 |
|---|
| 108 | + | a manner that ensures participant dignity and leads to greater stability. 6 |
|---|
| 109 | + | (b) Permissible shelter provided through this Program shall: 7 |
|---|
| 110 | + | (1) include: 8 |
|---|
| 111 | + | (A) community-based shelter provided by housing and shelter 9 |
|---|
| 112 | + | operators, including community-based shelters for designated populations; and 10 |
|---|
| 113 | + | (B) hotel and motel rooms only after the Department has exhausted 11 |
|---|
| 114 | + | other means of providing community-based shelter; and 12 |
|---|
| 115 | + | (2) limit relocation between community-based shelter sites. 13 |
|---|
| 116 | + | (c)(1) If there is inadequate community-based shelter space available for a 14 |
|---|
| 117 | + | household within the Agency of Human Services district in which the 15 |
|---|
| 118 | + | household presents itself, the household shall be provided shelter in a hotel or 16 |
|---|
| 119 | + | motel within the district, if available, until adequate community-based shelter 17 |
|---|
| 120 | + | space becomes available in the district. 18 |
|---|
| 121 | + | (2) Annually, the Department shall propose hotel and motel rates 19 |
|---|
| 122 | + | through the budget process for consideration and approval by the General 20 |
|---|
| 123 | + | Assembly. If the Department determines that a contractual agreement with a 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
|---|
| 124 | + | 2025 Page 6 of 14 |
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| 125 | + | |
|---|
| 126 | + | |
|---|
| 127 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 128 | + | hotel or motel operator to secure temporary emergency shelter capacity is 1 |
|---|
| 129 | + | beneficial to improve the quality, cleanliness, or access to services for those 2 |
|---|
| 130 | + | households temporarily sheltered in the facility, the Department shall be 3 |
|---|
| 131 | + | authorized to enter into such an agreement in accordance with the per-room 4 |
|---|
| 132 | + | rate established by the General Assembly; provided, however, that in no event 5 |
|---|
| 133 | + | shall such an agreement cause a household to become unhoused. The 6 |
|---|
| 134 | + | Department may include provisions to address access to services or related 7 |
|---|
| 135 | + | needs within the contractual agreement. 8 |
|---|
| 136 | + | (3) The use of hotel and motel rooms shall be contingent on a 9 |
|---|
| 137 | + | participating hotel or motel complying with the public accommodation act 10 |
|---|
| 138 | + | pursuant to 9 V.S.A. chapter 139, holding a lodging license issued by the 11 |
|---|
| 139 | + | Vermont Department of Health, and complying with the Licensed Lodging 12 |
|---|
| 140 | + | Establishment Rule and the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code. The 13 |
|---|
| 141 | + | Department may withhold full or partial payment to any hotel or motel 14 |
|---|
| 142 | + | operator who violates any law or rule or whose lodging license is suspended, 15 |
|---|
| 143 | + | revoked, expired, or otherwise invalid. Specifically, the Department may 16 |
|---|
| 144 | + | withhold full or partial payment to hotel or motel operators to whom the 17 |
|---|
| 145 | + | Department of Health has issued a conditional license, abatement order, 18 |
|---|
| 146 | + | warning letter, or other notice of violation. Likewise, the Department may 19 |
|---|
| 147 | + | withhold full or partial payment to hotel or motel operators who have received 20 |
|---|
| 148 | + | notices from other State agencies that indicate that the hotel or motel operator 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
|---|
| 149 | + | 2025 Page 7 of 14 |
|---|
| 150 | + | |
|---|
| 151 | + | |
|---|
| 152 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 153 | + | has violated a law or rule. Once the Department is satisfied that the hotel or 1 |
|---|
| 154 | + | motel operator is complying with the law and any corresponding rules, the 2 |
|---|
| 155 | + | Department shall begin or resume payments at the contracted rate for lodging 3 |
|---|
| 156 | + | once the violation ended. The Department may provide all, some, or none of 4 |
|---|
| 157 | + | the payments withheld based on the nature and extent of the legal violations 5 |
|---|
| 158 | + | and the effects of those violations on Emergency Temporary Shelter Program 6 |
|---|
| 159 | + | households. 7 |
|---|
| 160 | + | § 2203. HOUSEHOLD ELIGIBILITY 8 |
|---|
| 161 | + | To be eligible for the Program established in this chapter, a household shall 9 |
|---|
| 162 | + | attest to lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and have a 10 |
|---|
| 163 | + | member who: 11 |
|---|
| 164 | + | (1) is 60 years of age or older; 12 |
|---|
| 165 | + | (2) has a disability that can be documented by: 13 |
|---|
| 166 | + | (A) written verification of the disability from a professional licensed 14 |
|---|
| 167 | + | by the State to diagnose and treat the disability and certification that the 15 |
|---|
| 168 | + | disability is expected to be long-continuing or of indefinite duration and 16 |
|---|
| 169 | + | substantially impedes the individual’s ability to live independently; 17 |
|---|
| 170 | + | (B) written verification from the Social Security Administration; 18 |
|---|
| 171 | + | (C) receipt of a disability check; 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 172 | + | 2025 Page 8 of 14 |
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| 173 | + | |
|---|
| 174 | + | |
|---|
| 175 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 176 | + | (D) intake staff-recorded observation of a disability that, not later 1 |
|---|
| 177 | + | than 45 days after the application for assistance, is confirmed and accompanied 2 |
|---|
| 178 | + | by evidence of this; or 3 |
|---|
| 179 | + | (E) other documentation approved by either the Department or the 4 |
|---|
| 180 | + | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; 5 |
|---|
| 181 | + | (3) is experiencing a serious short-term medical condition or has been 6 |
|---|
| 182 | + | discharged from a health care facility where the individual was being treated 7 |
|---|
| 183 | + | for a serious short-term medical condition within the last 30 days; 8 |
|---|
| 184 | + | (4) is a child under 19 years of age; 9 |
|---|
| 185 | + | (5) is in the third trimester of pregnancy or is experiencing an at-risk 10 |
|---|
| 186 | + | pregnancy; 11 |
|---|
| 187 | + | (6) has experienced the death of a spouse or domestic partner within the 12 |
|---|
| 188 | + | last 30 days; 13 |
|---|
| 189 | + | (7) has experienced a natural disaster, such as a flood, fire, or hurricane, 14 |
|---|
| 190 | + | within the last 30 days; 15 |
|---|
| 191 | + | (8) is under a court-ordered eviction or constructive eviction due to 16 |
|---|
| 192 | + | circumstances over which the household has no control; or 17 |
|---|
| 193 | + | (9) is experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, 18 |
|---|
| 194 | + | stalking, human trafficking, hate violence, or other dangerous or life-19 |
|---|
| 195 | + | threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a 20 |
|---|
| 196 | + | household member. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
|---|
| 197 | + | 2025 Page 9 of 14 |
|---|
| 198 | + | |
|---|
| 199 | + | |
|---|
| 200 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 201 | + | § 2204. MAXIMUM DAYS OF ELIGIBILITY 1 |
|---|
| 202 | + | (a) The maximum number of days that a household receives shelter in a 2 |
|---|
| 203 | + | hotel or motel under this Program, per 12-month period, shall be determined 3 |
|---|
| 204 | + | by the statewide vacancy rate. If the statewide vacancy rate is: 4 |
|---|
| 205 | + | (1) less than five percent at the household’s time of application, the 5 |
|---|
| 206 | + | household shall receive a maximum of 90 sheltered days under this Program 6 |
|---|
| 207 | + | per 12-month period; or 7 |
|---|
| 208 | + | (2) is equal to or greater than five percent at the household’s time of 8 |
|---|
| 209 | + | application, the household shall receive a maximum of 45 sheltered days under 9 |
|---|
| 210 | + | this Program per 12-month period. 10 |
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| 211 | + | (b) No periods of ineligibility shall be imposed on the use of a household’s 11 |
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| 212 | + | maximum permitted sheltered days. 12 |
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| 213 | + | § 2205. HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATION 13 |
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| 214 | + | Unless the head of the household has a disability as evidenced by 14 |
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| 215 | + | subdivision 2203(2) of this chapter that prevents the head of household’s 15 |
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| 216 | + | ability to participate in coordinated entry and case management processes, a 16 |
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| 217 | + | participating household sheltered pursuant to this chapter shall participate in 17 |
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| 218 | + | coordinated entry and case management processes if temporary emergency 18 |
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| 219 | + | shelter in excess of 14 days is required, including cooperating with the 19 |
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| 220 | + | Department and service providers on screening and care planning. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 221 | + | 2025 Page 10 of 14 |
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| 222 | + | |
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| 223 | + | |
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| 224 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
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| 225 | + | § 2206. APPLICATION; NOTICE; APPEALS 1 |
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| 226 | + | (a) All program applications and notices shall use plain language. 2 |
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| 227 | + | (b) The Department shall provide written notice, and notice in the 3 |
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| 228 | + | household’s preferred form of communication, of appeal rights related to 4 |
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| 229 | + | departmental decisions made in the course of administering the Program 5 |
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| 230 | + | established in this chapter, including appeal rights related to the denial of an 6 |
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| 231 | + | initial application. 7 |
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| 232 | + | (c) A household sheltered in accordance with this Program may continue to 8 |
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| 233 | + | remain sheltered while the appeal is pending until the household’s maximum 9 |
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| 234 | + | sheltered days for the current 12-month period have expired. 10 |
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| 235 | + | § 2207. MONTHLY REPORTING 11 |
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| 236 | + | Monthly, the Department shall post the following on its website: 12 |
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| 237 | + | (1) the annual total and average monthly number of households 13 |
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| 238 | + | participating in the Program by household size, by eligibility category, and by 14 |
|---|
| 239 | + | each Agency of Human Services district; 15 |
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| 240 | + | (2) the number of alternative housing placements made during the 16 |
|---|
| 241 | + | previous reporting period compared with the targeted number of placements 17 |
|---|
| 242 | + | for that period; 18 |
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| 243 | + | (3) of the households successfully placed in alternative housing during 19 |
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| 244 | + | the previous month, the number of households whose screening indicated a 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 245 | + | 2025 Page 11 of 14 |
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| 246 | + | |
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| 247 | + | |
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| 248 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
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| 249 | + | potential need for services from each department within the Agency of Human 1 |
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| 250 | + | Services; 2 |
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| 251 | + | (4) the number of beds available for emergency housing in each Agency 3 |
|---|
| 252 | + | of Human Services district in the State, with separate reporting on the number 4 |
|---|
| 253 | + | of beds available in nursing homes and residential care homes for individuals 5 |
|---|
| 254 | + | whose screening indicates they could meet the clinical criteria for those 6 |
|---|
| 255 | + | settings and the number of emergency beds available for individuals whose 7 |
|---|
| 256 | + | screening indicates they do not meet the clinical criteria, including low-barrier 8 |
|---|
| 257 | + | shelters, beds for youth, and beds for individuals who have experienced 9 |
|---|
| 258 | + | domestic violence; 10 |
|---|
| 259 | + | (5) the number of households that have been successfully transitioned to 11 |
|---|
| 260 | + | an alternative housing placement since the previous report was issued and the 12 |
|---|
| 261 | + | types of housing settings in which they have been placed; 13 |
|---|
| 262 | + | (6) the outlook for transitioning additional households to alternative 14 |
|---|
| 263 | + | housing placements in the coming months, including an estimate of the number 15 |
|---|
| 264 | + | of households likely to be placed per month; 16 |
|---|
| 265 | + | (7) the number of and demographic information for households 17 |
|---|
| 266 | + | obtaining shelter due to adverse weather conditions pursuant to section 2208 of 18 |
|---|
| 267 | + | this chapter; and 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 268 | + | 2025 Page 12 of 14 |
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| 269 | + | |
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| 270 | + | |
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| 271 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
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| 272 | + | (8) the total amount of funds expended during the most recent quarter on 1 |
|---|
| 273 | + | housing placements and supportive services for households transitioning from 2 |
|---|
| 274 | + | the Program established in this chapter. 3 |
|---|
| 275 | + | § 2208. WINTER SHELTER 4 |
|---|
| 276 | + | To the extent funding and capacity exists and notwithstanding any 5 |
|---|
| 277 | + | provisions of this chapter to the contrary, the Department shall provide shelter 6 |
|---|
| 278 | + | to households lacking a fixed, regular, adequate, nighttime residence between 7 |
|---|
| 279 | + | November 15 and April 15. If there is inadequate community-based shelter 8 |
|---|
| 280 | + | space available within the Agency of Human Services district in which the 9 |
|---|
| 281 | + | household presents itself, the household shall be provided shelter in a hotel or 10 |
|---|
| 282 | + | motel within the district, if available, until adequate community-based shelter 11 |
|---|
| 283 | + | space becomes available in the district. Shelter in a hotel or motel provided 12 |
|---|
| 284 | + | pursuant to this section shall not count toward the maximum days of eligibility 13 |
|---|
| 285 | + | per 12-month period provided in section 2204 of this chapter. 14 |
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| 286 | + | * * * 15 |
|---|
| 287 | + | Sec. 5. RULEMAKING; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER 16 |
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| 288 | + | PROGRAM 17 |
|---|
| 289 | + | On or before February 15, 2026, the Department for Children and Families 18 |
|---|
| 290 | + | shall file an initial permanent proposed rule with the Secretary of State 19 |
|---|
| 291 | + | pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 836(a)(2) for the administration of the Emergency 20 |
|---|
| 292 | + | Temporary Shelter Program established pursuant to 33 V.S.A. chapter 22. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 293 | + | 2025 Page 13 of 14 |
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| 294 | + | |
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| 295 | + | |
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| 296 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 297 | + | Prior to the adoption of the permanent rule, the Department shall file an 1 |
|---|
| 298 | + | emergency rule, which shall be deemed to have met the emergency rulemaking 2 |
|---|
| 299 | + | standard in 3 V.S.A. § 844(a), to enable the operation of the Emergency 3 |
|---|
| 300 | + | Temporary Shelter Program beginning on July 1, 2026. 4 |
|---|
| 301 | + | * * * Sunset of General Assistance Emergency Housing Program * * * 5 |
|---|
| 302 | + | Sec. 6. 33 V.S.A. § 2115 is amended to read: 6 |
|---|
| 303 | + | § 2115. GENERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM REPORT 7 |
|---|
| 304 | + | On or before September 1 of each year, the Commissioner for Children and 8 |
|---|
| 305 | + | Families shall submit a written report to the Joint Fiscal Committee; the House 9 |
|---|
| 306 | + | Committees on Appropriations, on General, Housing, and Military Affairs, and 10 |
|---|
| 307 | + | on Human Services; and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on 11 |
|---|
| 308 | + | Health and Welfare. The report shall contain the following: 12 |
|---|
| 309 | + | (1) an evaluation of the General Assistance program during the previous 13 |
|---|
| 310 | + | fiscal year; 14 |
|---|
| 311 | + | (2) any recommendations for changes to the program; 15 |
|---|
| 312 | + | (3) a plan for continued implementation of the program; 16 |
|---|
| 313 | + | (4) statewide statistics using deidentified data related to the use of 17 |
|---|
| 314 | + | emergency housing vouchers during the preceding State fiscal year, including 18 |
|---|
| 315 | + | demographic information, client data, shelter and motel usage rates, clients’ 19 |
|---|
| 316 | + | primary stated cause of homelessness, and average lengths of stay in 20 |
|---|
| 317 | + | emergency housing by demographic group and by type of housing; and 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.91 |
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| 318 | + | 2025 Page 14 of 14 |
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| 319 | + | |
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| 320 | + | |
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| 321 | + | VT LEG #379532 v.1 |
|---|
| 322 | + | (5) other information the Commissioner deems appropriate. [Repealed.] 1 |
|---|
| 323 | + | Sec. 7. SUNSET; GENERAL ASSISTANCE EMERGENCY HOUSING 2 |
|---|
| 324 | + | PROGRAM 3 |
|---|
| 325 | + | The General Assistance Emergency Housing Program shall cease to exist 4 |
|---|
| 326 | + | on July 1, 2026 and all related rules shall become ineffective on that date, 5 |
|---|
| 327 | + | including those portions of Department for Children and Families, General 6 |
|---|
| 328 | + | Assistance (CVR 13-170-260) as amended by the Department for Children and 7 |
|---|
| 329 | + | Families under Secretary of State rule filing number 24-P42 and any future 8 |
|---|
| 330 | + | rule adopted by the Department pertaining to emergency housing. 9 |
|---|
| 331 | + | * * * Effective Dates * * * 10 |
|---|
| 332 | + | Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATES 11 |
|---|
| 333 | + | This section, Sec. 1 (legislative intent), and Sec. 2 (Emergency Temporary 12 |
|---|
| 334 | + | Shelter Program Advisory Committee) shall take effect on passage, and all 13 |
|---|
| 335 | + | remaining sections shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 14 |
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