Vermont Ends Cold Weather Hotel Assistance for 160 Households

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About 160 households in Vermont will no longer receive hotel rooms following the end of cold weather rules for the state's General Assistance program. Anti-homeless advocates had hoped a federal Medicaid waiver would allow the state to use those funds to supplement rent for people at risk of homelessness, but state leaders say the waiver only provides authority, not the necessary funding or infrastructure to build such a program.

Why it matters

The end of the hotel assistance program leaves many vulnerable Vermonters without a reliable source of shelter during the cold winter months. While the state has been trying to transition people from hotels to shelters, the lack of funding and resources to expand housing support programs means some individuals may now face increased risk of homelessness.

The details

Vermont Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson said the state would need to make significant investments, including enrolling housing providers, landlords, and developing new IT systems, in order to utilize the federal Medicaid waiver to supplement rent. Without those resources currently available, the state is unable to expand the housing support program as hoped.

• The cold weather rules for Vermont's General Assistance program ended this week.
• Last year, the federal government authorized Vermont to use state Medicaid funds for a program that could supplement rent for people at risk of homelessness.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The state legislature and Governor Scott's administration have been trying to wind down the use of hotels and instead ramp up shelters to get people back on their feet, but the lack of funding for expanded housing support programs means this transition may be challenging.