Housing is a Human Right

Act Now

We all need a safe and secure place to live. But for over 3,400 of our neighbors, access to reliable shelter is out of reach – not for lack of trying. Fortunately, lawmakers have an opportunity right now to ensure shelter to some of most vulnerable Vermonters while the legislature works towards long-term solutions to ensure no one is left out in the cold, but they need to hear from you.

In the face of an unprecedented housing crisis, policy makers in Montpelier have continued to defund Vermont's social safety net for those experiencing homelessness. Ever since the 1960's, Vermont has provided emergency housing during the cold winter months to anyone in need through the General Assistance (GA) emergency housing program, most widely known for providing shelter through motels across the state. We currently find ourselves in the midst of another devastating debate over the future of this life-saving program.

Soon, the Vermont Senate will be voting on whether to temporarily extend shelter for participants currently accessing GA emergency housing through cold-weather exemptions. Without change, roughly 457 households, including 590 adults and 160 children, will lose access to shelter come April 1. With community shelter beds at full capacity statewide, those unable to access the GA program will be left with virtually no other options available other than unsheltered homelessness.

The people impacted by this choice include families with children, people with disabilities, and individuals fleeing domestic violence. Many individuals currently receiving GA emergency housing have medical needs such as medication that requires refrigeration, usage of oxygen machines, and use of wheelchairs. Exiting these families without a plan from the state is inhumane and will cause extreme suffering for Vermonters in need.

We are painfully reminded of lessons learned from last year, when hundreds of families were unsheltered during the spring without an alternative plan in place. For some individuals, this policy choice may be one of life and death. As a result of recent limitations on our GA emergency housing program, at least three Vermonters have tragically lost their lives in the last two months, and tragically at least 82 people have died over the last four years while experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Their deaths were not inevitable, and to collectively fight for policies that value the lives of people experiencing extreme hardship.

Thankfully, our allies in the legislature are pushing to extend coverage for families until June through a mid-year budget adjustment. The importance of this policy opportunity cannot be overstated. Please take a minute and urge your Senator to pass these protections into law.

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Subject

I am writing today to ask you to extend the Adverse Weather Conditions policy through the FY25 Budget Adjustment for Vermonters currently accessing the General Assistance emergency housing assistance program.

We all need a safe and secure place to live. But for over 3,400 of our neighbors, access to reliable shelter is out of reach – not for lack of trying. Eliminating housing for hundreds of people – all of whom have already been determined to be some of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors – during a historic housing crisis will continue to place Vermonters in life-threatening circumstances.

Message Body

I am proud of the work state leaders are undertaking to avoid placing vulnerable Vermonters in life-threatening circumstances. As your constituent, I hope you will vote yes to extend GA Adverse Weather Conditions policy through the FY25 Budget Adjustment.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Housing is a Human Right

Act Now

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