Homeless Crisis

Vermont is facing a growing homelessness crisis, with nearly 3,500 people currently without stable housing—a staggering 300% increase since the current hotel voucher program was introduced. While this program was meant as a temporary solution, it has proven unsustainable. Instead of solving the problem, it has led to increased homelessness and criminal activity, particularly in communities like Barre City. The current approach has harmed residents’ quality of life and failed to address the root causes of homelessness.

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At the heart of this crisis are mental health struggles, substance abuse, and the lack of affordable, stable housing. Simply funneling people into hotels through the “General Assistance Housing Program,” which costs millions each year, does not help people recover or regain stability. Governor Scott noted in his veto letter for H.91 that since the program’s expansion, 135 individuals sheltering in hotels and motels have died, many of which may have been prevented with better accountability and engagement.

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I voted against the 2025 Budget Adjustment Act because it continued funding this ineffective and outrageously expensive hotel voucher program without accountability or measurable benefit, even as Vermont faces a serious financial crisis. Protecting people from freezing is important, but throwing more money at a failing system is not the answer.

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Governor Scott’s veto of H.91 echoes many of my concerns. He pointed out that Vermont remains the only state in the region operating an emergency hotel/motel program at this scale, with costs soaring into the tens of millions—far above pre-pandemic spending levels. 

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I support a better path forward—one that invests in warming shelters staffed by mental health clinicians, substance abuse specialists, life coaches, and security to ensure safety and real recovery. We must focus on rehabilitation and long-term support to help individuals break the cycle of homelessness and regain their footing. Barre City and all of Vermont deserve solutions that work, not band-aids that worsen the problem.