Human Services committee tentatively backs End Homelessness Vermont funding, plans homelessness bill rewrite

Unidentified Speaker 3 introduced a recommendation to fund End Homelessness Vermont and framed it as a high-priority, one-time appropriation that addresses supportive peer-run services for people with disabilities. The organization’s original request was described as roughly $600,000; the committee considered removing $100,000 in 'concrete supports,' leaving an adjusted figure presented as $511,625.

Multiple members and witnesses, including representatives from Vermont Interfaith Action and several advocacy organizations, emphasized the unique role that End Homelessness Vermont plays providing winter emergency shelter and supports to Vermonters with significant disabilities. Unidentified Speaker 3 and others said the group's work frequently enables people to obtain lifesaving benefits and services.

Committee members acknowledged questions about how funds are currently allocated across shelters, prevention, development and operations and said more detailed budget breakout materials had been circulated in the previous 24 hours. Unidentified Speaker 1 said staff will circulate a new draft homelessness bill early next week that uses resources in the governor's recommended budget plus other available flexible supports; members will review the language and vote on the committee recommendation on Tuesday.

Unidentified Speaker 1 stressed this was an initial indication of support and not a final appropriation. The committee asked for clarifying language on the appropriation and directed staff to gather more detail on what is already committed in the base budget versus enhancements going forward.