Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness &

Chittenden County Homeless Alliance

2017 POINT IN TIME COUNT REPORT

VERMONT’S ANNUAL STATEWIDE COUNT OF THE HOMELESS

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from AHS Secretary Gobeille……………….. 2

Map of Homelessness by County……………………. 3

Summary……………………………………………………… 4

Location of Homelessness..………..……………….… 5

Household Type……………..…………………………..… 6

Subpopulations………………………....…….…………… 7

Youth Homelessness…...…………………..……….….. 8

County Breakdowns………………………………….. 9-13

Chronically Homeless & Household Type.… 9

Addison, Bennington and Caledonia..…...... 10

Chittenden, Franklin and Lamoille...….……. 11

Orange, Orleans and Rutland……….………… 12

Washington, Windham and Windsor.……….. 13

Contact Information………………….……………….…. 14

2

LETTER FROM AHS SECRETARY GOBEILLE

We know that when a person loses their home, any challenges they faced prior are immediately

amplified. For someone struggling financially, homelessness can make finding and keeping that next

job harder. Similarly, homelessness places more stress on family dynamics, making parenting harder.

Kids are more likely to miss school or transfer frequently between schools putting them behind their

peers academically and developmentally. The trauma associated with homelessness can exacerbate

underlying health and mental health issues. Along with homelessness comes a loss of privacy, dignity,

and even within the friendliest communities, stigma persists. Homelessness is a profoundly destabilizing

condition.

Ending homelessness requires us to come at the problem from multiple angles. Our strategies in

Vermont are built around three components: helping to make rents more affordable; providing the

right supportive services at the right time; and increasing access to housing. The departments of AHS

are well-positioned to play key roles, but as with any entrenched social issue, we know it requires a

whole community approach. AHS, alone, will not be able to solve the problem of homelessness. There

are major roles for private and non-profit partners as well as other state agencies and the federal

government.

This report features both hopeful news from regions that are documenting a sustained reduction in

homelessness, and more sobering news from parts of the state where more people are without housing

this year than last. I applaud the creativity and perseverance I see in all communities and organizations

that are working to reduce and end homelessness in Vermont! Every year brings a better understanding

of the factors that cause people to lose housing and the interventions that are best suited to address

them.

As you read this Point in Time Report, I encourage you to remember two more points which may not be

evident in the trends or graphs from a one-night count: First, that through the work of local

communities, thousands of Vermonters who became homeless last year, found a safe place to stay and

the resources to get back into stable housing. Those numbers aren’t included here, but those struggles

and ultimate successes were real. And, secondly, that even in areas that showed tremendous

improvements this year, we clearly have work to do. Too many Vermonters are without a place to call

home tonight, but through strong state and local partnerships that bring together those critical

components of subsidies, services and housing, we can help create new paths to opportunity, success

and housing stability.

Al Gobeille, Secretary

Agency of Human Services

3

HOMELESS PERSONS BY COUNTY

2017 POINT IN TIME COUNT

48

8

291

150

64

92

104

183

100

102

46

15

30

92

100

114

183

150

20

118

15

30

48

64

291

0

0

4

SUMMARY This report chronicles the landscape of and changes in overall homelessness, as well as breakdowns by

location of homelessness, household type, subpopulation, and county. The Annual Point in Time (PIT)

Count is an unduplicated statewide count of persons experiencing literal homelessness on a single

night in January. Vermont’s two Continua of Care (CoC)—Balance of State and Chittenden County—are

the backbone organizers of the statewide effort.1 These CoCs, along with 11 local CoCs that fall under

the Balance of State, are comprised of service & housing providers, state agencies, those with lived

experience, and other partners in Vermont’s health, homelessness, and low-income systems of care.

During the one-day count in January, 1225 Vermonters experienced literal homelessness, an

increase of 123 people, or 11%, compared to the 2016 one-day count.

A total of 852 households were counted, an increase of 59 households, or 7%, from 2016.

306 were children, representing 25% of the entire homeless population counted.

While the one-day count showed an overall increase, some areas saw striking regional

differences, including decreases in Chittenden (-12%) and Franklin (-17%) counties.

The number of unsheltered persons counted was 134, a 14% decrease from the 2016 PIT Count.

The Point in Time Count data is compiled in a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Agencies using HMIS can quickly and accurately input, review, and submit data; entities not using it

miss out on these benefits. It is strongly recommended that the State of Vermont mandate that the

General Assistance Motel Vouchers and the Vermont Rental Subsidy programs use HMIS for increased

efficiency, uniformity, and accuracy in data entry, collection, and analysis.

The Count provides a valuable measure of Vermont’s homeless population; the data is used to assess

and identify housing service gaps and needs. Capturing the most vulnerable homeless population,

those “literally homeless,” it does not include those at risk of becoming homeless or those who are

“couch surfing.” Insufficient affordable housing units, housing subsidies and capacity to provide

services that fit the complex needs of persons who are homeless continue to burden homelessness prevention and intervention efforts. The $35 million housing bond proposed by the Governor and

passed by the Legislature will help immensely. However unparalleled budget cuts proposed by

President Trump, which includes elimination of entire programs, would increase homelessness greatly.

ANNUAL VT POINT IN TIME COUNT OF HOMELESSNESS: 2013-2017

1 Chittenden County CoC is known as the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance. The Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness includes both CoC.

1454 14501523

11021225

9711027 1052

770

934

483 423 471332 291

0

500

1000

1500

2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 6 2 0 1 7

TO

TA

L P

ER

SO

NS

Statewide Balance of State CoC Chittenden County CoC

5

LOCATION OF HOMELESSNESS

KEY FINDINGS

The majority (89%) of homeless persons resided in an emergency shelter or transitional housing

for the homeless, but just over 1 in 10 (11%) of the homeless population was unsheltered.2

Although the statewide number of unsheltered persons decreased by 14% from the 2016 one-

day count, the number of sheltered persons increased by the same percentage. A higher

number of sheltered persons is the result of a greater need for and usage of state-funded motel

vouchers due to adverse weather conditions, including a winter storm, occurring on the night of

the 2017 count. In addition, new seasonal shelters were opened in 2017 to address local need.

Five counties experienced Cold Weather Exception conditions on the night of the Count, which

relaxes eligibility requirements for motel vouchers when temperatures drop below 20 degrees,

or 32 degrees with snow or freezing rain.

Lamoille County, which does not have a general emergency shelter, saw a drastic increase (2 to

36 households) in motel voucher usage this year, even without a Cold Weather Exception.

2 Living in a place unfit for human habitation, such as in the woods, on the street, or in a car.

Emergency Shelter

44%

Motel - Paid by AHS22%

Motel - Paid by Organization

3%

Transitional Housing for the

Homeless20%

Unsheltered11%

1078 1021 9371270 1396 1373

961 1091

142 123 223

184163 150

156134

0

500

1000

1500

2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 6 2 0 1 7

TOTAL PERSONS

SHELTERED VS. UNSHELTERED

Sheltered Unsheltered

6

HOUSEHOLD TYPE

KEY FINDINGS

43% of the persons experiencing homelessness during the 2017 PIT Count were persons in

households with children, while 57% were persons in households without children.

2017 saw a 14% statewide increase of persons in households with children and a 6% increase of

persons in households without children, in comparison with 2016 numbers.

There were two unaccompanied minor households, meaning households made up children

under the age of 18 who are unaccompanied by guardians.

753 732

613

462

528

694

837881

654697

0

200

400

600

800

1000

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

TOTAL PERSONS BY HOUSEHOLD TYPE

Persons in Households with Children Persons in Households without Children

7

SUBPOPULATIONS OF HOMELESSNESS

For the following data, persons may fall under multiple subpopulation categories.

KEY FINDINGS

A 24-person decrease in Chittenden County’s chronic homeless3 count, coupled with a 24-

person increase in the rest of Vermont, produced a count of chronically homeless persons equal

to last year: 127 persons. This means 1 in 10 persons (10%) counted were chronically homeless.

o In contrast, 16% of persons reported that they had been homeless for less than one

month, 14% for one to three months, and 17% for one month to one year.

Just under half of persons (47%) were homeless for the first time.

267 persons4 (22%) reported as survivors of domestic violence, which is a 40-person increase

from 2016. This year, three service providers for survivors of domestic violence distributed

emergency housing motel vouchers on behalf of the state.

The population of homeless veterans has declined steadily since the 2013 Count, when it peaked

at 128. 2017 saw a continuation of this downward trend; 94 veterans were counted, a 15%

decrease since 2016. The coordinated efforts of veterans’ service providers across Vermont to

move this number towards functional zero5 is worthy of special recognition.

A significant portion of those who were homeless reported having a disability:

o 340 persons reported having a severe mental illness, or 28% of total persons.

o 228 persons reported having a substance abuse disorder, or 19% of total persons.

3 Comprised of persons with a disability who have experienced homelessness for a year or longer, or at least four episodes

of homelessness in the last three years (cumulative of at least 12 months). 4 This does not include children affectted, as domestic violence is defined as between intimate partners. 5 Defined as the number of veterans who are homeless being no greater than the monthly housing placement rate for veterans.

0

100

200

300

400

500

2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 6 2 0 1 7

Domestic Violence Chronic Homelessness Severe Mental Illness

Substance Abuse Veterans

8

YOUTH HOMELESSNESS

This year, youth service organizations devoted more resources to the Point in Time Count, with 2017

serving as a baseline year for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to track progress

towards ending youth homelessness.6 Thus the increase in youth homelessness may reflect more

outreach, aimed at providing an accurate baseline measure. Essex and Grand Isle Counties are not

included in the graphs because they had a count of zero homeless persons.

The number of youth ages 18-24 who were homeless was 142, up from 120 in 2016. This

represents an 18% increase.

Half of youth ages 18-24 counted were in three counties: Chittenden, Rutland, and Washington.

42 youth, or 30%, reported chronic health conditions: 4 had a physical disability, 15 a

developmental disability, 18 a severe mental illness, and 5 an “other chronic health condition.”

There were 29 parenting youth households, compared to 36 in 2016.

6 Refers to youth between the ages of 12 and 24 who are unaccompanied by guardians .

8 8

30

11

5 5

1

5

21 21

1215

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AGES 18-24

BY COUNTY

2

6

5

0

1

3

0

1

4

3

1

3

0

2

4

6

8

PARENTING YOUTH

BY COUNTY

9

COUNTY BREAKDOWNS

Essex and Grand Isle Counties are not included as they both had a homeless count of zero persons.

65

38

5

12 2

0

8

23

19

5

0

10

20

30

40

CHRONICALLY HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDSBY COUNTY

1523

37

313 15

0 3

2516

1119

43

28

193

20

7 11

20

5

112

9079

62

0

50

100

150

200

HOUSEHOLD TYPE

BY COUNTY

Households with Children Households without Children

10

Unless otherwise noted, the following data represents the number of persons (not households) that

experienced homelessness on the one-day January 2017 PIT count.

47

77

1

76

916

80

58

92

5

87

1724

120

0

20

40

60

80

100

ADDISON COUNTY

2016 2017

40

64

46 49

8 7 5 1

51

100

3

97

13 11 102

0

20

40

60

80

100

BENNINGTON COUNTY

2016 2017

16

28

6

22

48

41

2430

6

24

4

11

3 1

0

10

20

30

40

CALEDONIA COUNTY

2016 2017

11

247

332

62 68 68106

6031

230

291

28

263

80 8853

25

0

100

200

300

400

CHITTENDEN COUNTY

2016 2017

31

58

6

52

13 125 2

20

48

1

47

135 7

00

20

40

60

80

FRANKLIN COUNTY

2016 2017

1522

4

1812

6 60

26

64

23

41

912

9

00

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

LAMOILLE COUNTY

2016 2017

12

1921

5

12

2

10

4

12

20 20

2

18

0

12

8

15

0

10

20

30

ORANGE COUNTY

2016 2017

9

15

0

15

1 12

0

8

15

1

14

1 1 1 1

0

5

10

15

20

ORLEANS COUNTY

2016 2017

106

138

18

120

31 30 29 19

137

183

13

170

43 40 3017

0

50

100

150

200

RUTLAND COUNTY

2016 2017

13

96

117

18

99

18

42 3625

106

150

40

110

26

5039 32

0

50

100

150

WASHINGTON COUNTY

2016 2017

86

114

6

108

31 2920

11

90114

7

107

2943

25

7

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

WINDHAM COUNTY

2016 2017

81

116

12

104

3349

33

7

82

118

5

113

3243

31

3

0

50

100

150

WINDSOR COUNTY

2016 2017

14

CONTACT INFORMATION

Balance of State Continuum of Care

MaryEllen Mendl, United Ways of Vermont/Vermont 211

Peter Kellerman, John Graham Housing & Services

Chittenden County Continuum of Care:

Margaret Bozik, Champlain Housing Trust

Erin Ahearn, Safe Harbor Homeless Health Care Program of the Community Health

Centers of Burlington

Addison County – Jeanne Montross, Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects

Bennington County – Chris Oldham, Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless

Maryann St. John, BROC-Community Action in Southwestern Vermont

Caledonia & Essex Counties – Jan Rossier, Northeast Kingdom Community Action

Franklin & Grand Isle Counties – Holly Olio, Northwestern Counseling & Support Services County

Jen Stewart, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity

Lamoille County – Will Eberle, Agency of Human Services

Carole Pomeroy, Department for Children & Families

Orleans County – Kathy Metras, Northeast Kingdom Community Action

Rutland County – Ashley Greenfield, Homeless Prevention Center

Washington County – Liz Genge, Downstreet Housing & Community Development

Jackie Jones, Washington County Mental Health Services

Windham South – Sue Graff, United Way of Windham County

Windsor-North & Orange Counties – Linda Anderson, Capstone Community Action

Lynn Boyle, Agency of Human Services

Windsor-South & Windham North – Tara Chase, Windsor County Youth Services