Issues

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In 2023, VIA clergy and leaders, in conjunction with allies, succeeded in persuading the Governor and legislature to extend the state-run motel program at the end of the legislative session to continue to provide emergency shelter. Some 2,000 Vermonters were saved from eviction because of these efforts. Unfortunately another 800 people were evicted previously, and these folks, who are dispersed throughout the state, are in dire need of shelter with supports for mental health and substance use challenges. 

Our LOC continues to meet as a statewide group, and we have created three subcommittees: 1) one for Burlington, to press the state to better coordinate with the city to handle the 250 unhoused people on the streets, 2) another for Central Vermont, to address the even greater demands on existing housing now that flooding has severely damaged 12% of that region’s units, and 3) a third in Bennington to establish a much needed and long-waited for day shelter. 

The other important piece of our campaign is to ensure that every effort is made to shelter those who are unhoused. Many changes have been made to the emergency shelter program, including setting caps on the amount paid to hotels and standing up shelters urgently in several towns. VIA leaders continue to be frustrated by the lack of leadership of the Governor on this issue and the lack of alternatives for Vermonters, now that most of the federal money for emergency shelter has run out. Our VIA LOC has redoubled efforts to seek systemic changes that will protect those unhoused or precariously housed, including having numerous discussions with legislators and holding another press conference covered by VT Digger and by ABC 22/FOX 44. 

The LOC and subcommittees meet approximately every two weeks, as the situation has been in constant flux.

This organizing ministry supports a harm reduction approach to drug use, working through the coalition Decriminalize Vermont to emphasize health treatment for substance misuse instead of incarceration. This group also supported and helped to draft a Second Look bill (S.155)  giving those with life sentences without parole the possibility of asking a judge to grant them a parole hearing. Unfortunately, the Senate Judiciary committee decided not to take up this bill during this session. The primary sponsor, Chittenden Central Senator Tanya Vyhosky, promises to introduce it again next year if she is re-elected. 

And finally, this group is part of a Stakeholders Group that meets regularly with the Department of Corrections to weigh in on programs and facilities for those incarcerated in Vermont. These meetings take place the 3rd Monday of each month.

For the past year, this organizing committee concentrated on encouraging ad hoc community groups in municipalities to use our “Vermont Guide to Community Engagement with Local Police Departments” to have a meaningful conversation with their Police Chief and other officers. The goal is to build trust and mutual respect to make our communities safe for everyone. 

We are currently implementing a pilot initiative in Burlington, partnering with a cultural change agency called Safer Together Solutions, which involves door-to-door canvassing to get community members involved in identification of a single concern to focus on solving in coordination with neighborhood police. Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month.