Proposed Rules
B19-14 - 7/1/20 General Assistance and Emergency Assistance Rule
The General Assistance and Emergency Assistance programs (GA/EA) provide temporary housing to Vermonters experiencing homelessness either through the criteria under the category of catastrophic situations or by meeting the criteria under vulnerable populations. The GA/EA programs provide eligible recipients with motel vouchers when there is no shelter space available. The proposed rule removes all references to temporary housing from the GA/EA rules and temporary housing will no longer be administered by the GA/EA programs. Included in this proposal are technical corrections and deletions of obsolete references such as Town Service Officers.
Recent trends in the increased utilization of motel stays by GA/EA temporary housing recipients suggest a shifting landscape of housing crises that necessitate a new approach to supporting Vermonters experiencing homelessness. For several years, the Department for Children and Families (DCF) has been exploring and expanding alternatives to the GA temporary housing program. DCF, in consultation with community partners and recipients of temporary housing have determined the most effective way to meet emergency housing needs is to transition from the motel voucher program to 100% community-based solutions. To this end, the GA temporary housing program within the Economic Services Division (ESD) will end and DCF will increase assistance through the Housing Opportunity Grant Program (HOP) to community providers through the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Transitioning the model and this responsibility to OEO necessitates removing references to temporary housing from the GA/EA rules.
Opportunities for Public Participation
- A public hearing will be held at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2020 at the St. Albans City Hall, 100 North Main Street, St. Albans, VT.
- A public hearing will be held at 2:00 PM on March 5, 2020 at the Bennington Free Library, 101 Silver Street, Bennington, VT.
- A public hearing will be held at 5:00 PM on March 10, 2020 at the Aldrich Public Library, 6 Washington Street, Barre, VT.
Attend a Public Hearing Online or by Phone
Each scheduled public hearing will be available by computer, tablet, smart phone, or landline at the listed dates and times. Each public hearing is scheduled for two hours.
You can join the online public hearing at GoToMeeting with a computer, tablet, or smart phone and connecting to https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/710700477.
You may also connect to the public hearings by calling (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 and using the Access Code 710-700-477
If you are new to GoToMeeting download the app prior to the public hearing at https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/710700477.
- Public comments may be filed, before 4:30 PM on March 18, 2020 by sending them to deanna.jones@vermont.gov or Deanna Jones, DCF Policy Advisor, Department for Children and Families, 280 State Drive, HC 1 South, Waterbury, VT 05671-1201. Fax: (802) 241-0460.
Final Proposed Rule
None at this time.
Adopted Rules/Procedures
B20-02 - 2/1/20 Reach Up Procedures
Related Documents - Interpretive Memos
None at this time.