VermontVermont connects homeless households with shelter and housing help
The state homelessness program offers households shelter and housing help, while a separate bridge program connects some households to rental assistance.
What it does
The state’s homelessness program offers prevention, shelter, emergency hotel or motel stays, and help finding permanent housing, with services matched to each household.
A state housing program connects households to rental assistance when they need help paying rent and cannot get relevant federal rental assistance.
Argument forHouseholds could get help ranging from shelter to permanent housing, including rental assistance when they lack federal rental aid.
Argument againstHouseholds could face limits on how long they receive help and added responsibilities, which may make it harder to stay housed.
More detail
The Office of Economic Opportunity operates a program with different levels of help for households facing homelessness. The program serves households experiencing homelessness or at risk of it. The program takes effect July 1, 2026. It must be implemented as fully as possible in fiscal year 2027, while capacity is developed for full implementation in fiscal year 2028.
The Vermont State Housing Authority runs a rental assistance bridge program to connect eligible households with permanent housing. It serves households seeking permanent housing. The program is for households that need rental help but cannot get relevant U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rental assistance. The act has multiple effective dates beginning June 16, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 16, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 16, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 10, 2026To Governor
- May 26House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 21Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 21Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 21Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 21Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 21Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 21New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 203rd reading ordered
- May 20Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare, as amended, agreed toMinor
- May 20Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare amended as recommended by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 20Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Appropriations with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 20Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Lyons for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 20Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 20Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 20Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 19Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 19Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 19New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 15Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 15Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 15Second ReadingMinor
- May 15Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 13Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- May 13Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 13Second ReadingMinor
- May 13Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 2Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 31Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 31Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 27Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 69 of 137 to Pass -- Yeas = 133, Nays = 4
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 69 of 137 to Pass -- Yeas = 133, Nays = 4. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 27Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 27Rep. Wood of Waterbury demanded yeas and nays
- Mar 27Rep. Wood of Waterbury, Bishop of Colchester, Cole of Hartford, Eastes of Guilford, Garofano of Essex, Maguire of Rutland City, McGill of Bridport, and Noyes of Wolcott moved to amend the bill, which was agreed to
- Mar 27Rep. Bluemle of Burlington recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 27Rep. Maguire of Rutland City spoke for the Committee on Human Services
- Mar 27Read second timeMinor
- Mar 27Action Calendar: Action postponed until March 27, 2026
- Mar 26Rep. Maguire of Rutland City moved to postpone action until March 27, 2026, which was agreed to
- Mar 26Action Calendar: Action postponed until March 26, 2026
- Mar 25Rep. Maguire of Rutland City moved to postpone action until March 26, 2026, which was agreed to
- Mar 25Action Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 24Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 17Committee bill read first time and referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)Introduced
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