33 V.S.A. § 2211: Prioritization

(a) The Office, either directly or through community partners, shall prioritize services within the funds appropriated for this purpose to eligible households who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and have a member who:

(1) is 65 years of age or older;

(2) has a disability;

(3) is a minor child;

(4) is pregnant;

(5) is experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions; or

(6) is under court-ordered eviction or constructive eviction due to circumstances over which the household has no control.

(b)(1) Proof of an eligible household’s disability shall be verified by:

(A) a health care provider licensed or certified and practicing in Vermont;

(B) a determination or certification from a State- or federally recognized agency or program that provides services to individuals with disabilities; or

(C) self-attestation by the eligible household, subject to verification by the State or community partner within 30 days when other documentation is not reasonably available at the time of application.

(2) The presence of an eligible household member’s disability shall be verified by the Office or a community partner during the household’s initial application process and shall be redetermined annually if the household is still receiving services. An eligible household with a member who has a lifelong disability, such as an intellectual or developmental disability, shall not be required to have the disability redetermined.

(c) The Office and community partners shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101–12213, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, for the purposes of providing reasonable modifications, effective communication, and accessible placements. Program rules and case management requirements shall be reasonably modified, including with the use of plain language, as necessary to avoid discrimination against eligible households with a member who has a disability.