Vt. police see spike in calls to hotels housing homeless

“MONTPELIER, Vt. – Affordable housing officials say Vermont is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, complicated by a shelter shortage. And it’s driving the need for costly motel vouchers sky high. “We had to add temporary staff to deal with just the masses of humanity walking in the door. We don’t have enough room in our waiting area,” said Carol Flint of the Central Vermont Community Action Council. Lawmakers anticipated spending $1.3 million on the motel voucher program this fiscal year. But now the administration says the cost will be closer to $3.5 million. Flint recognizes that something’s got to give. She just hopes that doesn’t mean cutting the program altogether. “We don’t have the millions of dollars to backfill if the state cuts this program,” she said. “What should I say to the people who are at my doors?” Link to full WCAX.com article View PDF of full WCAX.com article

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