Vermont has received $1.25 billion of coronavirus relief funds through the federal CARES Act which have time constraints and restricted uses. One of the allowable uses is providing for the needs of the unhoused as a response to the public health emergency due to COVID-19, and another is providing relief for renters hit hard by loss of work.
Since the middle of March, a heroic effort by state agencies and nonprofit community partners prevented an outbreak of COVID-19 among some of Vermont’s most vulnerable people. The state drastically reduced the number of people in homeless shelters, and others left encampments, their cars, or moved from overcrowded shared living situations into motels to protect their health and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Housing with separate kitchen facilities, private bathrooms and sleeping areas with appropriate social distancing is essential for public health.
