To help ensure Vermonters who are experiencing homelessness and don’t have adequate financial resources can seek temporary housing in hotels and motels during harsh winter weather, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) has announced the seasonal policy for smergency shelter.
The 2023-24 adverse weather conditions policy will differ by season.
Between Dec. 15 – March 15, expanded eligibility will be in place regardless of the forecasted weather.
From Nov. 15 – Dec. 15, 2023, and March 15 – April 15, 2024 expanded eligibility will be in place when the temperatures or wind chill are less than 20 degrees (F); or temperatures are less than 32 degrees (F) with a higher than 50% projected chance of precipitation for at least three hours between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. based on the town in which the district office is located.
Assisting households with exiting homelessness into permanent housing is only possible with the diligent work of community partners, service providers, and housing organizations. Housing individuals in hotels is not an ideal setting for people experiencing homelessness; the Agency for Commerce and Community Development and DCF continue to work to help transition people who are in the program into stable, long-term housing, which is better for the health and safety of Vermonters and requires collaboration across state government and with community organizations.
