by Brenda Siegel and Josh Lisenby
Last week the “Adverse Weather Rules” for the 2021/2022 season were announced. We are being told that in order to “create more stability” these rules will again be changed on Monday. We believe that this highlights some of the inconsistencies and instability of the way that these rules are made, outlined and announced.
As of today, the rules say that in order to be given an emergency Motel for Cold Weather, it has to be at least one of the following conditions:
- Below 20 degrees
- Below 20 degree wind chill
- Below 32 degrees with a 50% chance or more of precipitation according NOAA.
We believe that the current rules as written are a death sentence to Vermonters. Science and data show that 50 degrees or below is when the risk of acute hypothermia begins or higher when there is precipitation according to the National Library Of Medicine, National Center For Biotechnology Information and National Institute of Health. People experiencing houselessness and homelessness are thirteen times more likely to die of hypothermia. The long term health impacts of the stress associated with houselessness are well known. The very barriers and conditions for folks to access the GA Motel program for longer periods of time are conditions often created by the experience of being without a home. It is a catch 22 that causes a longer term fiscal hardship for the state and the individual.
There is no capacity issue in motels. There is 100% federal reimbursement. The GA Motel program offers a form of stability that we rarely are afforded the opportunity to offer. Expanding the program should be an easy yes. Each year people die of freezing to death both because the temperature has not dropped enough and also because though it has, they can not get to the motels.
Finally, an announcement of “new Adverse Weather Rules” on a Friday, that no districts qualify for, when the administration is again going to change the rules on Monday is irresponsible and confusing. This weekend it is in the mid to low twenties. People with no gear will sleep on our side walks, benches and in the woods. If anyone dies, it should be stated, that we as a state had the tools to prevent it and chose not to.
The authors are homeless advocates currently sleeping on the State House steps.