33 V.S.A. § 2209: Other emergency housing services

(a) Municipal supports. The Department through the Office shall provide grants to municipalities in areas of the State with a high volume of unsheltered homelessness, including municipalities underserved by traditional funding sources. An eligible municipality may submit to the Office a grant application containing the estimated cost of the municipality’s proposal and other identified funding sources. The use of grant funding awarded pursuant to this subsection is at the discretion of the municipality and shall include the provision of basic life-sustaining shelter when the National Weather Service declares a cold weather advisory. Shelter provided pursuant to this subsection shall be time limited, shall not require a coordinated entry assessment or case management, and shall have minimal data reporting requirements.

(b) Emergency cold-weather shelters. Emergency cold-weather shelters shall be managed through an agreement between the Office and one or more community partners to provide overnight, low-barrier shelter when weather conditions warrant. The Office and community partners shall ensure equitable access to emergency cold-weather shelters for communities with a high number of households experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Shelter provided pursuant to this subsection shall be time limited, shall not require a coordinated entry assessment or case management, and shall have minimal data reporting requirements.

(c) Alternative Agency of Human Services housing solutions. The Agency of Human Services, through its various departments, provides households with other time-limited or permanent housing. Such services include recovery housing, various residential supports for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, home care services for older Vermonters and individuals with physical disabilities, transitional housing for individuals exiting correctional custody, and residential options for individuals with mental health challenges. Emergency housing provided through the Program is not intended to take the place of any other Agency of Human Services time-limited or permanent housing.