The pandemic hotel/motel program began in 2020 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Agency of Human Services used the framework of the General Assistance (GA) Housing program to rapidly stand up the pandemic era program. It was funded using federal funds, which ended when the public health emergency ended.
As an Agency we are committed to serving the most vulnerable, and know this is a major transition for individuals, households and our staff. The households who have depended on this program now need housing – not isolation. It is time to support them to move to other alternatives. The focus and energy on this longstanding issue will result in a stronger system that better serves clients in the future. AHS is committed to taking steps to address the transition and strengthen our systems and move forward in making meaningful, long-lasting change for Vermonters. We know this is not easy, and we know it is not perfect, but isolating those experiencing homelessness in hotels without access to services is not the answer.
This page provides information and resources for impacted individuals, communities and the media.
Data and information about the General Assistance (GA) Emergency Housing Program as federally funded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent winddown. The Department is committed to providing ongoing, additional data related to changes in eligible populations.
Information is updated weekly.
Data as of December 4, 2023
Information in the charts below represent the number of households eligible as part of the Pandemic-Era General Assistance Emergency Housing Transition Program. It does not reflect the number of households currently served in all DCF housing programs.
Table – Household Information by Eligibility Category
| Category | Age 60+ | Disability | Domestic Violence | Families with Children | Health Code Violations/Eviction/Natural Disaster | Pregnant | Grand Total |
| Currently Eligible | 52 | 400 | 27 | 165 | 70 | 11 | 725 |
Table – District Data Breakdown
| District | Currently Eligible |
| Barre District Office | 88 |
| Bennington District Office | 84 |
| Brattleboro District Office | 89 |
| Burlington District Office | 436 |
| Hartford District Office | 39 |
| Middlebury District Office | 7 |
| Morrisville District Office | 13 |
| Newport District Office | 8 |
| Rutland District Office | 205 |
| Springfield District Office | 28 |
| St Albans District Office | 19 |
| St Johnsbury District Office | 9 |
| Grand Total | 725 |
As of July 1, the households will be required to contribute 30% of their income towards housing.
Past Weekly Household Information Data:
Household Eligibility Table 5-24-23
Household Eligibility Table 5-31-23
Household Eligibility Table 6-2-23
Household Eligibility Table 6-12-23
Household Eligibility Table 6-19-23
Household Eligibility Table 6-23-23
Household Eligibility Table 6-30-23
Household Eligibility Table 7-17-23
Household Eligibility Table 7-24-23
Household Eligibility Table 7-31-23
Household Eligibility Table 8-7-23
Household Eligibility Table 8-15-23
Household Eligibility Table 8-21-23
Household Eligibility Table 8-28-23
Household Eligibility Table 9-4-23
Household Eligibility Table 9-11-23
Household Eligibility Table 9-18-23
Household Eligibility Table 9-25-23
Household Eligibility Table 10-2-23
Household Eligibility Table 10-9-23
Household Eligibility Table 10-16-23
Household Eligibility Table 10-23-23
Household Eligibility Table 10-30-23
Household Eligibility Table 11-6-23
Household Eligibility Table 11-13-23
Household Eligibility Table 11-20-23
Household Eligibility Table 11-27-23
DCF Housing Open Office Hour Minutes:
June 26, 2023
July 3, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 17, 2023
July 31, 2023
Legislative Reporting
July 2023
August 2023
September 2023
October 2023
Background Information
The first group of households will begin exiting the program on Thursday, June 1st. This is a group of approximately 700 individuals across the state. These are individuals who have been housed under DCF’s Adverse Weather Conditions Policy, and in other years, before the pandemic, would have exited this emergency program in the early spring.
As of July 1, the traditional General Assistance Emergency Housing Rules* apply for any new households entering as of July 1. The criteria for these rules include using 30% of a household’s income first, and then the State will pay for:
28-day limit in a rolling twelve-month period (Vulnerable Category)
- 65 years of age or older
- In receipt of SSI or SSDI (Social Security Administration information on SSI and SSDI)
- Family with a child 18 years of age or 19 years of age if still in school
- In the third trimester of pregnancy
OR
- A household that has been assessed a total of 4 or more points according to the point system in GA rule 2652.3
84-day limit in a rolling twelve-month period (Catastrophic Category)
- Fire, Flood, Natural Disaster
- Death of a spouse or minor child
- Court ordered or Constructive eviction
- Domestic Violence
The State will once again implement the Adverse Weather policy this winter. Days used prior to Adverse Weather being declared do not count against a household’s eligibility during Adverse Weather days.
*The one change that will be made to these rules is to update the age of a qualifying child from age 6 (pre-pandemic rules) to age 18 – or 19 if still in school.
Resources
- For Pandemic-Era GA Emergency Housing Transition - Emergency Rules, please click here.
- For housing resources, please click here.
- To learn more about other resources you may qualify to receive, please click here.
Where to Get Help
- If you are a program participant, please connect with the Economics Services Division at 1-800-479-6151.
- If you have contacted the Economic Services Division and still need assistance, please contact your local Field Service Director: https://humanservices.vermont.gov/about-us/field-services
- If you still need assistance, please call the Agency of Human Services Central Office: 802-241-0440.
- If you are interested in the letter of interest or the RFP, please contact 2023HomelessResponse@vermont.gov.
- If you would like to email information about a case, please send it to AHS.DCFPublicInfo@vermont.gov.