Last week, the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC) and the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) held their joint annual meeting at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Randolph, VT. With around 90 people from across the state attending, it’s safe to say that the meeting was a success. Thanks to all who were able to attend.
We heard presentations from Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe, House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, Democratic nominee for Governor Christine Hallquist, and several advocates from the affordable housing and homeless coalitions. Unfortunately, Governor Scott was invited but unable to attend. We hope to meet with him in the near future.
Senator Ashe noted that it was great to see the diverse array of interests present – including representatives from domestic violence organizations and those working on the opioid epidemic. This diversity is a reflection of the holistic approach necessary to tackle the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in Vermont and beyond, and we are looking forward to working together to make these changes.
Speaker Johnson emphasized the importance of housing: “Housing and addiction are two of those [keystone] issues where, when you make progress on those issues in particular, you start seeing those benefits ripple out into the community.”
Gubernatorial candidate Christine Hallquist highlighted some solutions: “I believe that people are homeless as a result of all the [actions] that the rest of us haven’t yet taken… People don’t just say I’m gonna be homeless for the rest of my life… If people aren’t making a living wage, and we are going to be a civilized society, then we have to subsidize housing. A + B = C.”
If you were unable to attend, or would simply like to see some of the presentations again, here is a link to the video recording, and the video is embedded below. The timestamps for each presentation are as follows:
Senator Ashe 3:32 Representative Johnson 36:47 Gus Seelig, VHCB 58:17 Christine Hallquist 1:17:51 Elizabeth Bridgewater, WWHT & Josh Davis, Groundworks 1:40:25 Bethany Pombar, VCHRYP 2:06:19
Here is Elizabeth and Josh’s presentation on the Great River Terrace project, and here is Gus’ report on the Housing Bond. We’d also like to give a special shout-out to Bethany, whose energetic presentation both informed us about VCRHYP’s good news and got us excited for what’s to come. Click here for her hand-outs: YHDP Fact Sheet, YHDP Project Type Summary and YHDP Homeless Definition Quick Guide.
At VAHC’s annual meeting, we welcomed Elizabeth Bridgewater of the Windsor & Windham Housing Trust to the Steering Committee as a new member. The Coalition was fortunate to have eight returning members willing to continue serving for another year. After many years of service, Ted Wimpey of CVOEO’s Fair Housing Project, stepped down from his position of Chair and is now Vice Chair. Cindy Reid of Cathedral Square was confirmed as the new Chair. Other officers include Sara Kobylenski, Upper Valley Haven, as Treasurer and Alison Friedkin, Downstreet Housing, as Secretary. The Steering Committee At-Large Members are Ray Brewster, consultant; Chris Damiani, Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission; Anna Herman, Champlain Housing Trust; and Patricia Tedesco, Vermont Center for Independent Living. You can find their brief bios here.
The next Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 10 from 9:30 – 11:30 at the Vermont Center for Independent Living, 11 East State Street, Montpelier, VT. Come early at 9am for coffee and networking! We hope you can join us!!