The number of people in households with children who are becoming homeless also rapidly grew — by a stunning 36%.
This year’s count finds homelessness has climbed nearly 19% in Vermont
Author: Lola Duffort
Lola Duffort is a political reporter for VTDigger, covering Vermont state government, the congressional delegation and elections. She previously covered education for Digger, the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire and the Rutland Herald. She has also freelanced for the Miami Herald in Florida, where she grew up. She is a graduate of McGill University in Canada.
As pandemic-era motel programs end, tenants struggle to claim their deposits
One set of hotels is asking tenants to sign away their rights to the cash in exchange for $500 — a move that Mark Hengstler, an attorney at a nonprofit that represents low-income Vermonters in civil matters, said is clearly in violation of state rules.
Gov. Phil Scott vetoes child care bill
The governor does support further investments in child care but he strongly objected to the payroll tax that would partially fund the measure.
Phil Scott signs ‘HOME’ bill, legalizing duplexes statewide and tweaking Act 250
“We will continue to focus on turning the tide of this housing crisis,” the governor said in a statement. “More important work lies ahead, but this bill is a great start.”
After last-ditch legal effort fails, hundreds of unhoused Vermonters are evicted from motel program
Thursday marked the first of several waves of evictions planned for this spring and summer, as the state winds down pandemic-era programs that have sheltered an estimated 80% of Vermont’s unhoused population in motels.
Judge denies effort to delay evictions from motel program
Depending on their eligibility criteria, about 2,800 are due to lose their shelter in several waves over the spring and summer — starting today.
Vermont Legal Aid sues state to halt evictions from motel program
Vermont Superior Court Judge Timothy Tomasi scheduled an expedited hearing for 8:30 a.m. Thursday — the same day the first 800 people are scheduled to be booted from the program.
Phil Scott vetoes Vermont’s $8.5B state budget, House Speaker calls for state of emergency
Democrats command supermajorities in both the House and the Senate, but overriding the governor is still expected to be a complicated task, particularly in the lower chamber.
State announces 28-day extension for some in motels
It’s unclear how many people will receive the extra month of shelter. An actual breakdown was not available from state officials on Friday, although minors alone account for nearly 600 of the individuals living in motels.
As motel program winds down for unhoused Vermonters, state looks to out-of-state contractors for solution
The Agency of Human Services on Wednesday released a request for proposals for emergency shelter staffing and services, with the hope of providing up to 1,000 shelter beds statewide.
