BILL AS INTRODUCED H.498
2025 Page 1 of 3
VT LEG #382131 v.1
H.498 1
SHORT FORM 2
Introduced by Representative Headrick of Burlington 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Municipal and county government; regulatory provisions; police 6
power of municipalities; prohibition on criminalizing homelessness; 7
grants for municipalities to address homelessness; annual reporting 8
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend 9
various provisions of Title 24 to prohibit municipal corporations from adopting 10
civil or criminal ordinances that would prevent an individual from engaging in 11
life-sustaining activities on municipal property, such as sleeping, camping, 12
resting, or loitering. This bill also proposes to authorize municipal 13
corporations to adopt certain ordinances prohibiting the use of municipal 14
property for life-sustaining activities whenever adequate shelter is available. 15
This bill also proposes to establish a State-funded grant program to support 16
municipal diversionary programs for unhoused individuals; municipal services 17
relating to mental health care, addiction treatment, and job training; and 18
partnerships between municipalities and nonprofit organizations to provide 19
temporary, transitional, and permanent housing. This bill also proposes to 20
allow municipalities to designate humanitarian zones in public spaces, in 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.498
2025 Page 2 of 3
VT LEG #382131 v.1
which unhoused individuals may access sanitation facilities, water, and 1
temporary shelter. This bill also proposes to appropriate monies to the Agency 2
of Human Services for purposes of expanding housing programs that prioritize 3
immediate, low-barrier housing solutions for unhoused individuals and 4
families. This bill also proposes to amend statutes related to affordable 5
housing to provide tax incentives for developers that create affordable housing 6
units, enact rent stabilization and eviction protection for residential tenants, 7
appropriate monies for the construction of affordable housing units by the 8
State, and establish public-private partnerships to expand the availability of 9
housing stock statewide. This bill also proposes to amend the statutes 10
governing regional and municipal planning to require municipalities to include 11
homelessness strategies within the municipal plan and to authorize grants to be 12
used for purposes of technical assistance for municipalities that adopt and 13
revise new plans. This bill also proposes to require annual reports from 14
municipalities and State agencies concerning the status of homelessness within 15
the State, the effectiveness of any measures that have been implemented, and 16
progress towards the reduction of homelessness in Vermont. This bill also 17
proposes to establish a task force, composed of legislators, municipal 18
representatives, advocates, and individuals with lived experience, to study and 19
oversee the implementation of the proposals within this bill. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.498
2025 Page 3 of 3
VT LEG #382131 v.1
An act relating to prohibiting municipal regulation of homelessness and 1
supporting municipal programs to address homelessness 2
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 3
(TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS) 4