General Assistance Emergency Housing Task Force | Department for Children and Families

Act 113 created the General Assistance Emergency Housing Task Force to provide recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the statewide and local operation and administration of the General Assistance Emergency Housing benefit.

The meetings will be recorded, the recording and associated documents (e.g., PowerPoints) are public record and will be posted online, and no confidential or protected information can be shared during the meetings.

Duties

Outcome

Duties of the Task Force

The Task Force shall examine and provide recommendations on the following:

household eligibility; maximum days of eligibility; application, notice, and appeals processes; participant requirements; and annual reporting requirements;
the process to establish a single, statewide, unified coordinated entry system with participation from the Department;
the current organization of roles and responsibilities within the Department for Children and Families’ Office of Economic Opportunity and the Division of Economic Services;
the number and types of emergency shelter spaces needed and currently available for each geographic region in the State, with a preference for noncongregate shelter spaces;
the identification of a consistent lead agency for each geographic region;
the identification of role and responsibility assigned to the lead agency;
potential adjustments to emergency housing policy during cold weather months;
a process to enable participating households to place a percentage of the household’s gross income into savings, which shall be returned to the household for permanent housing expenses when the household exits the General Assistance Emergency Housing;
a mechanism for addressing potential conduct challenges posed by a member of a participating household served in a motel, hotel, or shelter;
the identification of any State rules and local regulations and ordinances that are impeding the timely development of safe, decent, affordable housing in Vermont communities in order to:
1. identify areas in which flexibility or discretion are available; and
2. advise whether the temporary suspension of relevant State rules and local regulations and ordinances, or the adoption or amendment of State rules, would facilitate faster and less costly revitalization of existing housing and construction of new housing units;
a mechanism to ensure that eligible households are sheltered until transitional or permanent housing is available; and
strategies to reduce reliance on hotels and motels for emergency housing.

Outcome

By January 15, 2025, the task force will submit a written report to the legislature with its findings and any recommendations for legislative action. The report will be viewable on the Legislature’s Legislative Reports page when available.

Members

Miranda Gray, Deputy Commissioner, Economic Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Lily Sojourner, Director, Office of Economic Opportunity, Department for Children and Families (Appointed by DCF's Commissioner)
Elizabeth Gilman, Executive Director, United Way and Vermont 211
Molly Dugan, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Cathedral Square - Rep for Long-Term Care Crisis Coalition
Brenda Siegel, Director of End Homelessness Vermont - Rep for Vermont Center for Independent Living
Frank Knaack, Executive Director, Housing and Homeless Alliance of Vermont
Amy Johnson, Government Affairs and Communications Director, Vermont Care Partners
Jubilee McGill, House Human Services Representative (member with lived experience)
Sarah Russell, Special Assistant to End Homelessness, City of Burlington (member with experience operating an emergency shelter)
Shaun Gilpin, Housing Division Director, Agency of Commerce and Community Development (Appointed by ACCD's Commissioner)
Pollaidh Major, Director of Policy and Special Projects, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
Shelby Lebarron (Member with lived experience)
Christopher Louras, Homeless Response Coordinator, City of Rutland (Appointed by Vermont Leagues of Cities and Towns)

Upcoming Meetings

Our meetings are open to the public and we encourage interested parties to attend. Our meeting details are below.

*If you plan to attend a meeting in-person, please remember to bring a photo ID, as you will need it to check-in with Security for entry into the complex.