Latest news with #EndHomelessnessVermont
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reaction to Gov. Scott's veto of new homelessness program
(ABC22FOX44) – Advocacy groups are speaking out against Governor Phil Scott's veto of a bill that would have overhauled Vermont's hotel-motel program. The bill was designed to replace the current program with a more localized community shelter system. The governor vetoed this Wednesday. The bill was called V-HEARTH for short by some. It stands for Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition Housing. The group called End Homelessness Vermont says it would give more power to local communities by creating regional committees made up housing coalitions, shelter providers, state officials, and those who have experienced homelessness. Brenda Siegel says the governor initially approved the funding in the state budget, now she says, he's walking it back. The executive director of End Homelessness Vermont, Brenda Siegel says, 'The governor signed the budget that included the funding for V-HEARTH. That means that he already approved the money that was being spent.' In a letter to the legislature Scott writes, 'the bill proposes we spend millions of dollars more than the $45 million used last year.' He goes on to say, 'it's my hope… to transform the hotel/motel program into one that delivers value for Vermont taxpayers, those in the program, the community-based organizations providing shelters and services, and communities that have been unfairly burdened by this failed program.' Siegel says the bill shouldn't have been a surprise. Siegel says, 'the governor was in the room every single step of the way in making H.91. To end in a veto is not acceptable.' The ACLU of Vermont says without reforms, the state can expect more unsheltered people on the streets. The governor says the state should be focused on building more shelter capacity and getting treatment to those who need it. Advocates are concerned the proposed federal funding cuts to HUD and housing voucher programs such as section 8, will only add more challenges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scott vetoes Vermont hotel-motel shelter bill
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont governor Phil Scott on Wednesday vetoed House Bill 91, which would establish the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program, on budgetary grounds. It is the fifth time Scott has used his veto this year. Vermont governor vetoes collective bargaining bill In his letter to the General Assembly, Scott criticized the state's hotel-motel shelter program, calling it 'a failed program' and one 'that isn't good for those in it.' He said that the fact that 135 people have died while living in hotel-motel shelters since the program's expansion suggests that it needs more accountability, and criticized the bill for proposing the state spend more than the $45 million spent on the hotel-motel program last year. Scott extends Vermont's emergency housing through June Scott did offer other possible ideas to solve the state's homelessness issues, saying, 'I believe we should focus on real solutions like building additional shelter capacity and requirements to engage in work, training, and treatment for those who need it. That way, those who are experiencing homelessness are more likely to get back on their feet and into permanent housing.' Read the full text of the bill here. Note that the final version starts at the bottom of Page Some advocates for unhoused people expressed disappointment in Scott's decision to veto the bill. Brenda Siegel, executive director of End Homelessness Vermont, said that 'there is no excuse' for the veto and called Scott's veto 'not based on science.' Housing and healthcare connection highlighted in Winooski Tamara Hodge, also of End Homelessness Vermont, said she could not understand the state's lack of progress on homelessness issues. 'As someone with lived experience and who was recently sheltered in the hotels, I can not believe the unawareness of this administration to appropriately care for those most vulnerable.' The bill passed the Vermont House in a potentially veto-proof 92-42 vote, but only passed the Vermont Senate 17-13, which reflects the current party division of that chamber. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
