The bill H.91 establishes the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program (VHEARTH) to combat homelessness in Vermont, particularly in light of the increased rates of unhoused individuals following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program aims to eliminate unsheltered homelessness and ensure that homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring by enhancing emergency shelter availability, supportive services, and community resource integration. It replaces existing emergency housing provisions under the General Assistance Program and the Housing Opportunity Grant Program, and emphasizes collaboration among community partners, including the establishment of community action agencies that will provide essential services for households at risk of homelessness, particularly those affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Additionally, the bill amends existing legislation regarding community action agencies, requiring them to consult with statewide organizations for resource allocation based on economic indicators and community needs. It mandates annual funding distribution to these agencies and establishes accountability measures to evaluate service effectiveness. The bill also creates the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program Implementation Advisory Committee to guide the program's design, ensuring diverse representation, including individuals with lived experiences of homelessness. Furthermore, it introduces a one-time appropriation of $10 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026 to support community action agencies and shelter capacity development, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 33-22, 33-2115
As Passed By the House -- Official: 33-22, 33-2115, 3-59
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 3-59