33 V.S.A. § 2201: Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Alternative housing options” means housing options including shelters, specialized shelters, transitional housing, recovery residences, shared housing arrangements, host-home models, master-lease units, and rapid rehousing placements.

(2) “Applicant” means a household that applies for emergency housing assistance.

(3) “At risk of homelessness” means precariously housed without sufficient income, resources, or support to prevent homelessness.

(4) “Case management services” means individualized supportive services.

(5) “Coordinated entry” means a process that standardizes the way households at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness access and are assessed for and referred to the housing and services that a household needs for housing stability.

(6) “Department” means the Department for Children and Families.

(7) “Disability” means a physical, sensory, cognitive, developmental, or mental health condition or substance use disorder that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or that requires ongoing support, accommodation, or treatment to maintain an individual’s health, safety, or independence. The term includes chronic or episodic conditions that significantly impact daily functioning, regardless of whether the individual is receiving, or is eligible to receive, federal disability benefits.

(8) “Diversion” means a strategy aimed at preventing homelessness by helping households find immediate alternative housing options instead of entering shelters. Diversion focuses on addressing the needs of those who have recently lost their housing.

(9) “Eligible household” means a household that is homeless and is physically present and intends to reside in Vermont as evidenced by active participation in a housing, employment, or other Agency of Human Services–recognized plan.

(10) “Emergency cold-weather shelter” means publicly funded shelter beds made available to households during periods when the National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures at or below 10 degrees Fahrenheit including windchill for the majority of the State.

(11) “Emergency housing” means temporary shelter, lodging, or other housing support, or related services provided to eligible households to protect the health, safety, and welfare of an eligible household when no safe housing option is immediately available.

(12) “Highly structured shelter” means a shelter that provides programming that emphasizes case management, housing stability, employment, education, or treatment services, as well as other services as appropriate, in a manner that accommodates an eligible household’s disability, if any.

(13) “Homeless” means:

(A) lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;

(B) facing imminent loss of a primary nighttime residence;

(C) fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against a household or household member that either takes place in the primary nighttime residence or causes the household or household member to be afraid to return to the primary nighttime residence;

(D) residing in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or streets; or

(E) otherwise defined as homeless under federal law.

(14) “Household” means an individual or group of individuals, with or without children, including individuals who reside together as one economic unit, who are married, parties to a civil union, or unmarried.

(15) “Low-barrier shelter” means a shelter that minimizes barriers to entry by reducing the rules and programmatic requirements found in highly structured shelters, while still providing case management and other housing support services in a manner that accommodates an eligible household’s disability, if any.

(16) “Minor child” means an individual under 18 years of age.

(17) “Office” means the Office of Economic Opportunity.

(18) “Permanent supportive housing” means long-term housing with wraparound services for individuals with complex health and social needs.

(19) “Prevention” means services intended to prevent a household from becoming homeless, including housing relocation or stabilization services or short-term rental assistance, including rental arrearage.

(20) “Program” means the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum.

(21) “Rapid rehousing” means short- to medium-term rental assistance and supportive services aimed at assisting a household to quickly exit homelessness.

(22) “Shelter” means a facility that meets the Department’s shelter standards.

(23) “Specialized shelter” means a facility that meets the Department’s shelter standards and applicable standards for the delivery of additional services, including health care, mental health services, or services related to substance use disorder.

(24) “Supportive services” means individualized supports that assist a household in obtaining and maintaining housing, including:

(A) intake assessments and services for diversion from homelessness;

(B) household needs assessments;

(C) case management;

(D) individualized household plans to address identified needs;

(E) housing navigation services;

(F) assistance obtaining and retaining housing, including financial assistance;

(G) landlord-tenant outreach, education, and conflict resolution;

(H) navigation to other services and supports as identified in the household’s housing plan, including economic benefits, peer-supported services, job training and employment services, services related to disability and independent living advocacy, and referral to health care assistance, including treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorder;

(I) progress monitoring of interventions; and

(J) services to ensure continuity after a permanent placement.

(25) “Unsheltered homelessness” means sleeping in a location not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation, including cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or streets.