By Guy Page
Gov. Scott and his top administrators briefed the press on the July 1 version of the state homeless hotel and motel program. Top points:
Cost: Rooms will cost the State of Vermont $153/night, for a 30-day total of $4,590/month. Total for 30 days: $5,572,260, to be paid out of existing state revenue. Recipients must pay 30% of their income towards their rent. Also, the total amount will decline soon for two reasons, officials said:
1) the number of recipients is likely to drop because they will be required to accept suitable housing found for them. Residents will be required to work with state workers on finding new housing. Once found, they will have 48 hours to accept a written offer of new housing.
2) the State of Vermont will be negotiating lower room rates, per H.171, the new emergency housing law passed during this month’s special session of the Legislature.
The administration is working hard on developing innovative exit strategies. For example, $4 million was allocated to identify mobile home park vacant lots (170 found so far in seven counties with the greatest need, 300 statewide) and then buy mobile homes. Vermonters leaving the homeless hotel program would have top priority as the new occupants.
Eligibility guidelines for staying in the emergency housing program include disability, age, children, natural disaster, domestic abuse, and other factors.