OEO Awards Grants for Emergency Housing Alternatives to the Motel Voucher Program

Washington, D.C. – February 29, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — The Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) – part of the Department for Children and Families (DCF) – announced that approximately $785,000 in grants were awarded to 11 organizations to provide community-based solutions for meeting the emergency housing needs of Vermonters.

An emphasis was placed on strategies that would result in:

* A reduction in the use of motels
* Better outcomes for homeless individuals and families
* Cost savings for the State
* Closer partnerships with local DCF – Economic Services Division offices
“The demand for emergency housing has increased substantially over the past few years, while the cost of putting people up in motels has become increasingly unstainable,” said DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz. “We are working with our community partners to come up with more effective ways to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families.”

The grants will be used to increase the availability of:
* Seasonal warming shelters
* Added capacity at emergency shelters
* Short-term transitional housing and services for homeless families with children
* Emergency housing for youth
* Emergency housing and services for victims fleeing violence
The following groups received grants:
1. Barre – Capstone Community Action
2. Barre – Good Samaritan Haven
3. Brattleboro – Groundworks Collaborative
4. Brattleboro – Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA)
5. Brattleboro – Women’s Freedom Center
6. Burlington – Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS)
7. Hartford – Upper Valley Haven
8. Middlebury – Charter House
9. Montpelier – Washington County Youth Service Bureau
10. Newport & St. Johnsbury – Northeast Kingdom Community Action
11. Vergennes – John Graham Housing & Services

For more information about the work of the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity, go to http://dcf.vermont.gov/oeo.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Phillips, Chief Administrator, Office of Economic Opportunity, Department for Children and Families, (802) 769-6405

Source: Department of Children and Families