Thu Sep 19 07:43:35 UTC 2024: ## Vermont Faces Housing Crisis as Hundreds Forced Out of Motels
**BERLIN, Vt. -** A looming housing crisis is gripping Vermont as hundreds of individuals and families experiencing homelessness are being forced out of state-funded motel rooms this fall. This comes as the state winds down its pandemic-era motel voucher program, leaving many without a safe place to go.
The biggest exodus, involving approximately 230 households, is set for Thursday when the 80-day limit on motel stays, imposed by the legislature in July, reaches its deadline. Those affected include families, people with disabilities, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals who have experienced domestic violence or natural disasters.
Advocates and municipal leaders are raising alarm bells, highlighting the shortage of available housing and the dire consequences this situation presents. Shelters across the state are already at capacity, leaving many families with no alternative but to sleep on the streets or in tents.
“I can’t tell you how many families I’ve sat down with and said I really pray that I would never have to have this conversation with you but we don’t have any solutions,” shared Jen Armbrister, outreach case manager for the Good Samaritan Haven in Barre.
Bruce Jewett, a disabled veteran with cancer, and his wife Nova face the daunting reality of leaving their motel room on October 1st. Despite their search for housing, they have been met with limited availability and constant dead ends.
“It bothers me because I’m a veteran and I don’t believe that veterans should be having to deal with this,” Jewett expressed.
While the state plans to reintroduce motel housing for those affected during the winter months, the immediate future remains uncertain. This situation is further exacerbated by Vermont’s housing shortage, which has tripled the number of individuals experiencing homelessness between 2019 and 2023, according to a recent state housing report.
City and town leaders have urged the state government to take immediate action, emphasizing the immense strain on local resources and the need for comprehensive solutions. Governor Phil Scott acknowledged the challenges but reiterated the need for long-term solutions, such as establishing more shelters and increasing housing availability.
However, the state’s efforts to address this growing crisis are met with skepticism as the immediate needs of those forced out of motels remain unmet. Vermont faces a critical juncture, with the urgency to address its housing shortage becoming increasingly apparent. The state’s ability to effectively manage this complex situation will determine the future of its most vulnerable residents.
First Piper 