(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 651-8889, 152 Pearl St, Burlington, VT 05401
Latest News
ACTION ALERT: Providing immediate shelter for unhoused Vermonters
Religious leaders, housing advocates, and unhoused Vermonters held a press conference on Tuesday, March 14th to call on the administration and the legislature to put forth an immediate plan to provide shelter for our precariously housed neighbors after the current program ends.
Repeatedly our state leaders have changed the funding or the eligibility rules or both for those who need emergency housing through the General Assistance program. The State of Vermont has been spending $6-$7 million per month to provide motel-housing for 1,800 households (2,800 individuals) as of January 2023. The Vermont Legislature and the Scott administration are on track to allocate less than half that amount in their current budget for FY24.
To avoid sending almost 1,000 Vermonters out onto the street, we need adequate and consistent funding for shelter, with evidence-based supports in this temporary housing. For details of VIA’s proposal, please read the sign-on letter which 136 faith communities, clergy, leaders and neighbors have signed.
Budget decisions will be made the week of March 20th-25th and we need YOUR voice to be heard. Join us in urging legislators to take to heart the letter sent to them and address the scale of our current housing crisis by:
- Covering the costs of shelter for the next 12 months
- Funding the creation of alternatives to motel-based shelter
- Providing safe and supportive shelter that enables people to attain permanent housing
- Expanding evidence-based human service support models
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms office (802-828-2228) today and leave a message for your legislators about this important budget adjustment.
For more information or questions, please contact Debbie or Melissa.
What this work means to us...
VIA leaders shared about the work that they have been a part of in 2022 and what that means to them. Take a listen and get involved!
Visit our Events page to see what meetings are coming up and how you can be part of this work.
Feel free to contact VIA staff for more information or if you have any questions.
We Did It!!!!
PROPOSAL 2 PASSED!!!
After 245 years, Vermont finally has a constitution that officially and unambiguously abolishes slavery and indentured servitude in all forms! Vermonters came together to pass Proposal 2 with an overwhelming 82% majority.
To everyone who campaigned for Prop 2, made phone calls, wrote letters, talked to friends, put out signs, shared posts on social media, and voted "yes", THANK YOU.
This year, you have made history.