Vermont H 91: An act relating to the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program

Bill Text

BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.91
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H.91
Introduced by Representatives McGill of Bridport, Cole of Hartford, Cordes
of Bristol, Garofano of Essex, and Wood of Waterbury
Referred to Committee on
Date:
Subject: Human services; shelter; emergency temporary shelter
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the
Emergency Temporary Shelter Program to replace the General Assistance
Emergency Housing Program.
An act relating to the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program
An act relating to the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and
Responsive Transition to Housing Program
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
* * * Legislative Intent * * *
Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT
It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Emergency Temporary
Shelter Program established in 33 V.S.A. chapter 22 is a step toward ensuring
that:
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BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.91
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(1) unsheltered homelessness be eliminated in Vermont and interim
shelter opportunities be available to provide a stable pathway to permanent
housing for all Vermonters experiencing homelessness;
(2) arbitrary time limits, night-by-night shelter, relocation between
interim housing sites, and other disruptions in housing stability be eliminated;
(3) noncongregate housing be used to the greatest extent possible;
(4) Vermont’s emergency housing statutes, rules, policies, and practices
incorporate Housing First principles, trauma-informed practices, and emerging
best practices, including:
(A) immediate access to shelter without housing readiness
requirements; and
(B) voluntary supportive services designed to support housing
stability; and
(5) Vermont increase the supply of interim shelter that is geographically
and physically accessible to individuals with a disability and that addresses the
range of needs among individuals with a disability.
* * * Emergency Temporary Shelter Program * * *
Sec. 2. 33 V.S.A. chapter 22 is added to read:
CHAPTER 22. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM
§ 2209. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
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BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.91
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(a) Creation. There is created the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program
Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the
Commissioner regarding the implementation, administration, and operation of
the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program from the perspective of individuals
with lived experience of homelessness.
(b) Membership. Each coordinated entry lead agency shall appoint an
individual with lived experience of homelessness in Vermont to serve on the
Advisory Committee established in this section. The Advisory Committee’s
membership shall reflect the growing diversity among Vermonters, including
individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color, as well as with
regard to socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, sexual identity,
and disability status.
(c) Assistance. The Advisory Committee shall have the administrative,
technical, and legal assistance of the Department for Children and Families.
(d) Meetings.
(1) The Commissioner shall call the first meeting of the Advisory
Committee to occur on or before July 15, 2025.
(2) The Committee shall select a chair or co-chairs from among its
members at the first meeting.
(3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
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BILLAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE H.91
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(e) Compensation and reimbursement. Members of the Advisory
Committee shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of
expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than 12 meetings
annually. These payments shall be made from monies appropriated to the
Department.
Sec. 3. REPEAL; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
33 V.S.A. § 2209 (Emergency Temporary Shelter Program Advisory
Committee) is repealed on July 1, 2029.
Sec. 4. 33 V.S.A. chapter 22 is amended to read:
CHAPTER 22. EMERGENCY TEMPORARY SHELTER PROGRAM
§ 2201. DEFINITIONS
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Children and
Families.
(2) “Community-based shelter” means a shelter that meets the Vermont
Housing Opportunity Grant Program’s Standards of Provision of Assistance.
(3) “Department” means the Department for Children and Families.
(4) “Household” means an individual and any dependents for whom the
individual is legally responsible and who live in Vermont. “Household”
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includes individuals who reside together as one economic unit, including those
who are married, parties to a civil union, or unmarried.
(5) “Statewide vacancy rate” means the Vermont-specific rental vacancy
rate as reported by the