A cohort of Vermont’s social service providers has embarked on an editorial campaign challenging the House’s recent legislation that would disrupt the status quo of homeless services funding administration.
Angus Chaney, executive director of Rutland’s Homeless Prevention Center (HPC), appears to be the author of the editorial and is joined by about a dozen fellow non-profit leaders in the following requests:
1) that Vermonters look closely at the H.91 legislation; 2) that the General Assistance (GA) program and the Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) not be painted with the same brush; 3) that HOP be held harmless as the GA is reimagined; 4) that the state supports the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO); 5) that “we” have a seat at the table as the state implements a new strategy for GA funding.
Other than stating that “we feel” the H.91 legislation has the potential to destabilize an existing network, the cohort does little to build a case for the status quo over the proposed funding reorganization.
Rep. Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury, chairs the House Human Services Committee, and she writes:
“The House Human Services Committee, which I chair, has created a real step forward that integrates emergency housing with the supportive services necessary for many individuals to successfully transition to permanent, affordable housing.
The bill H.91, which has passed the House and is now being considered by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, creates the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program (V-HEARTH for short). This program is intended to replace what has become known as the “hotel/motel program,” which has never really been anything but vouchers paid to hotels on behalf of homeless individuals.
It uses existing resources but moves the management of those resources to Vermont’s five community action agencies. These agencies will work with other community partners to provide emergency housing and integrate supportive services such as referrals to substance use treatment, mental health services, financial and job coaching, assistance with landlord-tenant relationships, etc. In essence, each household will participate in a needs assessment and have an individualized plan to achieve housing security.
Without increasing the state’s current budget, this is a significant step forward to address a basic human need for shelter to maximize the possibility of preventing homelessness through earlier intervention and to provide links to supportive services many people need if they become homeless.”
Interesting!
I’m a Vermont Houser, working with 22 agencies and authorities to provide safe and healthy affordable housing to those who need it the most. From this perspective, I am a strong advocate for reorganization efforts that result in greater efficiencies and more effective oversight.
Over the last five years, Vermont’s homeless population has tripled.
The status quo is indefensible, and all future options should be on the table.
Our goal as Vermonters is to end homelessness, not salvage departments, protect headcount, and cling to the processes that have failed to deliver solutions to the current housing crisis.
Stephen Box is a Rutland-based house, general contractor, landlord, and advocate for citizen developers.
For more information, visit: partnersinhousingvt.com.
