As the state’s pandemic hotel/motel housing program comes to an end, more than 700 Vermonters have been forced to leave those rooms. Even as the state has provided emergency stipends and assistance to individuals and plans to use federal money to support affordable housing solutions, advocates say the evictions will likely put some Vermonters on the streets.
That leaves Vermont cities and towns to wrestle with a perennial question with increased urgency: How do you help people experiencing homelessness and treat them with respect when your land and resources are limited?
Members of the Montpelier Homelessness Task Force and city residents met Wednesday to discuss the city’s latest contribution to that effort. Assistant City Manager Cameron Niedermayer has drafted a proposal that would establish a rule of noninterference for people camping on public property.
The latest version of the policy, passed by the task force with opportunity for revisions next week, includes a map of where people are allowed to camp. Approved areas include Hubbard Park and North Branch Park, two of the largest open spaces in the city. Camping is not allowed in locations such as schools and playgrounds.
Niedermayer and Ken Russell, the task force chair, said at the beginning of the meeting that the goal was not to create a “solution” to homelessness but to create a city response to people camping.
Homelessness “is a pervasive issue with a variety of causes, and is something that requires holistic long-term solutions,” the draft policy begins. “The city, however, is facing a short-term emergency, with the state’s general assistance hotel/motel housing program ending in July 2021.”
Niedermayer discussed the intention of the policy with VTDigger in June, and said the policy was geared toward understanding that “this is someone who has no other choice” but to live in a camp. “There’s no reason to punish people,” she said at the time.
Residents offering public comment Wednesday were quick to question the intentions of the policy. One resident, Stephen Whitaker, said the policy was “backwards” for not offering camping locations with better hygiene facilities. Hubbard Park, for example, has outhouses but not sinks.
Niedermayer pointed out that the city requested help from the state for setting up facilities but was turned down, which is why Montpelier doesn’t plan to establish a single designated camping location.
Residents and the task force also went back and forth about whether the city should track people camping in designated spaces. As written, the policy tells city staff to leave alone any campers following the rules, but also directs staff to update outreach workers and support services about camping sites.
Morgan Brown disagreed with that approach. If someone’s not in a banned zone, he said, “people should be left alone and not be sought out.”
Rick DeAngelis, executive director of local shelter Good Samaritan Haven, responded that he understood it was a compromise to people’s freedoms, but it’s dangerous for many campers to be left alone: “It’s life or death in the winter.”
Elizabeth Parker, a Montpelier resident, said it was a “difficult situation” for people who are not able to go to shelters. “I hope you can find the most humane way to accommodate them,” she said.
The task force plans to meet once more before the Montpelier City Council discusses the policy on July 21.
