Burdened by homelessness

‘Not in my backyard’ is hitting Rutland hard, solutions must be statewide

By Alis Headlam

Editor’s note: Alis Headlam, of Rutland, is a former educator and member of Project VISION.

The “not in my backyard” syndrome has put the Rutland area in a very difficult situation. Rutland has become the go-to place for people who face homelessness. Recent press articles demonstrate the significance of the need for the state Legislature and governor to have a comprehensive action plan on how to address housing, mental health and food insecurity needs across counties, cities and towns. 

News articles have tracked how out of hand the situation has become. Residents of Fair Haven opposed a sober living arrangement in their town, as some stated that the house should be located in Rutland. Back on Sept. 13, Brenda Siegel was quoted as saying that her organization, End Homelessness Vermont, sends people to Rutland because “Most hotels exit people with complex needs. It’s the only place we can send some of our clients with severe psychiatric disabilities.” 

Not only do we struggle with the demand for services, we are apparently unable to create safe environments for those who are flooding our local hotels. A Sept. 19 Rutland Herald story highlighted the conditions at the Cortina Inn where 119 out of 133 rooms were deemed by the Vermont Department of Health to have code violations that reflect an environment that most of us would consider uninhabitable.

Companions in Wholeness, at Rutland United Methodist Church, continues to offer meals four days a week. As of January 2023, the group reported an average of 179 breakfasts and 150 lunches per day. What was clearly meant to be a temporary resolution became an imperative necessity. How sustainable is that? 

There is so much more going on to support people in need. I apologize for not mentioning all of those agencies who are working so hard to deal with an unimaginable crisis. There is a tremendous effort that is hard for most people to grasp fully. 

Finding a doctor, dentist or going to the emergency room is made more difficult because we have become the “dumping ground” for other cities, towns and agencies around the state. It is unsustainable. 

When the burden falls directly on Rutland and Rutland County enforcement and service agencies, it becomes the job of agencies to stretch their resources to fill the need. Police officers move homeless people along, collect needles from sites frequented by people experiencing addiction, receive and respond to calls where the primary issue is mental illness or addiction and address health care needs of those living without proper services. 

Red flags should be going up everywhere. The need is no longer for further study. Committees and community gatherings will not provide the answer either. Action is needed now.

It is time for our sister cities and towns to step up to the plate and begin providing services to their local population. Local agencies and service providers must open their doors. It is unreasonable to think that Rutland can handle all of the cases. Vermont has the ability to function with community spirit when we all see ourselves as members of the same family. We must take care of ourselves and our community members simply because it is the right thing to do.

It is time for our government to work with agencies to spread the challenges and provide the necessary resources so that individuals who are in difficult situations can stay at home or in their communities where they already have basic services. Turning a blind eye because those who could make these decisions do not live where the system is in chaos, promoting a “not in my backyard” mentality and obfuscating the dire need we in Vermont are experiencing, is not working. It is not acceptable.

Everything reported here is part of a very fluid situation that was exacerbated at the end of September when the state was no longer able to support the number of vouchers used at hotels. Are local communities picking up the slack by providing housing? Are they giving out tents and sleeping bags? Are they dealing with unhoused families or disabled people who have nowhere they can legitimately find refuge for the night? As of Dec. 1 when vouchers become available, is the pattern going to start over again with no clear solutions in place?

The burden is great. Who is taking the lead in seeing that people have basic necessities? Surely other towns and communities have a responsibility that surpasses what Rutland can offer for their community members. Vermonters are part of a unique community. Our state is small enough that this is a tragedy that we should not be facing.