Dear Coalition Members & Friends,
We were thrilled to hear from DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz this morning the good news that General Assistance Emergency Housing alternatives will be fully funded past September 30. Further, Commissioner Schatz has indicated that he is able to do this without implementing GA policy changes this fiscal year. For those who did not receive it, click here to read the memo. It is also posted below.
Thanks for this decision go to Commissioner Schatz and his Housing Team at the Department for Children and Families, its Economic Services Division, and the Office of Economic Opportunity, as well as to Human Services Secretary Al Gobeille and his staff for their support. We are also deeply thankful to the lawmakers who voiced their concerns about the possible loss of this funding beyond September, as well as Coalition members and friends for their advocacy. Especially appreciated has been Commissioner Schatz’ commitment to transparency, openness and collaboration during a time of great anxiety for those organizations and individuals directly and indirectly affected.
We look forward to continuing to work together on reducing — and hopefully one day ending — homelessness in Vermont.