State must first “identify an alternate stable setting”
Advocates say disabled people will be turned out June 16
Rutland plans to bus some homeless elsewhere
By Guy Page
As the Legislature’s commitment to end homeless hotel funding July 1 continues to crumble, homeless advocates today said they have proof disabled people will be turned out into the street. And at least one municipality wants to solve its homeless problem by busing them somewhere.
When the Legislature adjourned in May, House and Senate leaders agreed with Gov. Phil Scott to stop the pandemic-era $20 million/month housing of about 2700 people in ‘homeless hotel’ emergency housing.
But walking the talk has proven difficult. When homeless hotel funding became the sticking point in Progressive support for overriding Scott’s $8.5 billion budget veto, both sides began to blame the other and curry favor. The administration announced existing programs and funds would allow about 1100 disabled and head-of-household residents to stay through July, and about half of that number could stay almost through September.
With the special session to override the budget veto set to begin June 20, legislative leaders are working behind the scenes to develop an alternate funding plan to house recipients indefinitely until they and state workers can “identify an alternate stable setting,” Senate President Phil Baruth is quoted in VTDigger today.
At his press conference last week, Scott said some recipients do have exit plans, but he also expressed skepticism that homes for all recipients could be found.
The Legislature continues to get pressure from homeless hotel advocate Brenda Siegel. At noon today, she announced a 1 PM State House press conference at which she will present evidence that disabled Vermonters will be required to leave their emergency housing.
“Brenda Siegel and Rebecca Duprey have interviewed 77 of the 90 people scheduled to be exited on June 16. They have collected the data about the number who are suffering from mental illness, are in recovery and have physical health conditions as well as those escaping domestic violence. In addition they have gathered information about where the individuals are going from the hotel.
“It has become overtly clear between the June 1 exits and the looming June 16 exits that Vermont is exiting people who meet the definition of having a disability to the street and more.”
Meanwhile, municipalities like Rutland are developing their own plans to cope with homeless people exiting homeless hotel emergency housing. As of June 1, Rutland had 479 enrollees, the most of any community. The Rutland City Emergency Housing Transition Plan includes ‘transportation support:’
- Identify transportation options for individuals who may need assistance in relocating to new housing.
- Coordinate with local transportation providers to secure discounted or subsidized rates for eligible individuals.
- Utilize available funds to provide bus tickets or transportation assistance for those who have a support network or family in another area.