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From YouTube: HUD Administration Visits the Elmwood Shelter Pods in Burlington - House America Progress
Description
From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:
HUD leadership joins Mayor Miro Weinberger and community partners to mark progress in rehousing homeless and creating more affordable housing for the city under HUD’s House America Initiative.
House America leverages funding from the American Rescue Plan, federal, state, and local resources to re-house at least 100,000 households experiencing homelessness nationwide and add at least 20,000 new units of affordable housing into the development pipeline by December 31, 2022. Within those national goals, the City of Burlington set and has achieved local re-housing and unit creation goals.
Miro Weinberger, Mayor, City of Burlington
Juana Matias, Regional Administrator, HUD New England
Kerri Duquette Hoffman, VT Agency of Human Services – Field Services Director
Mike Monte, Champlain Housing Trust – Executive Director
11/1/2022
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A
B
Good
afternoon,
folks,
thanks
Michael,
thank
you
all
for
being
here.
It's
really
exciting
to
be
up
here
with
this.
This
big
group
in
a
moment
we're
going
to
hear
from
Juana
Matias
who's,
the
regional
Administration
administrator
for
HUD
New
England.
We
also
have
Carrie
duquette
Hoffman
from
the
Vermont
agency
of
Human
Services
Field
Services
director,
who
is
a
great
partner
in
many
areas
and
I
think
we're
going
to
let
Michael
come
back
to
the
microphone
and
and
maybe
maybe
you're.
B
B
I
want
to
at
the
start
here
recognize
the
city
team
members
that
have
been
working
so
hard
on
this
project
and
on
the
issue
of
homelessness,
Sarah
Russell
who's,
our
special
assistant
to
end
homelessness
is
here:
Samantha
Dunn,
our
assistant
director
for
Community
Works
who's.
Really,
our
a
real
estate
person
who's
really
led
the
physical
project
of
getting
this
created,
and
we
also
Marcela
gange,
who
is
where'd
Marcela,
go
she's.
She
that's
right.
She's,
she's,
talking
to
neighbors
back
there
and
she's
been
at
this.
B
B
Today's
event
is
an
important
demonstration
of
the
unique
moment
we're
in
it's
a
moment
in
which
the
city
is
closely
aligned
with
our
state
and
federal
Partners
in
prioritizing
Investment,
Systems
change
and
Urgent
action
that
is
required
to
make
good
on
the
promise
of
housing
as
a
human
right.
It
it
really
it's.
You
know
it
was
just
wanna
and
I
were
just
talking
chatting
getting
ready
here
today.
It
is
exciting
to
be
so
aligned
on
the
the
skull
of
reducing
homelessness.
B
Hs
has
been
very
Hands-On
in
the
creation
of
this.
It
really
does
feel
like
one
of
those
moments.
It
is
having
done
this
for
a
decade
now,
I
think
rare
that
we
have
such
strong
Partnerships
at
all
level
of
government.
This
site
is
a
testament
to
that
and
to
that
shared
commitment
when
open
the
Elmwood
emergency
shelter,
Community
will
provide
emergency,
shelter
and
essential
support
services
for
up
to
35
of
our
most
vulnerable
Neighbors
and
we'll
serve
as
a
critical
Resource
as
we
continue
working
through
the
challenges
ahead.
B
Despite
those
and
many
other
efforts
of
the
last
decade,
the
Collision
of
covid-19,
with
the
long-standing
you
know
decades
in
the
making
severe
housing
shortage,
has
meant
that
this
moment
in
many
ways
the
problem
is
worse
than
ever.
Hundreds
of
burlingtonians
are
living
in
chronic
homelessness,
which
is
way
up
from
before
the
pandemic.
We
have
the
lowest
vacancy
rate
we
have
seen
in.
In
decades.
We
we
for
years
were
very
concerned
about
a
low
vacancy
rate.
It's
dropped
down
to
0.5
percent,
and
we
know
that
way
too.
B
Many
of
our
neighbors
are
suffering
and
our
businesses
are
suffering
too
our
organizations.
They
are
struggling
to
to
hire
folks
and
keep
folks
because
of
the
tightness
of
the
housing
challenge
right
now.
So
that's
why?
Nearly
a
year
ago
now,
I
announced
a
new
10-point
action
plan
to
fulfill
the
promise
of
housing
as
a
human
right
here
in
Burlington,
and
this
action
plan
has
two
Cornerstone
goals:
the
doubling
of
housing
production
over
the
next
five
year
period,
starting
a
year
ago,
and
ending
chronic
homelessness
in
Burlington
by
2025..
B
Finally,
in
terms
of
progress
over
the
last
year,
we
know
that
success
is
not
just
about
building
homes.
We've
also
made
major
investments
in
improving
and
expanding
our
system
for
reducing
chronic
homelessness.
We
have
made
new
investments
in
that
coordinated
entry
system
we
created
just
a
few
years
ago,
with
with
the
chicken
County
Continuum
of
Care.
B
You
know,
in
short,
in
the
kind
of
first
year
of
this
effort,
there
are
significant
signs
of
momentum
and
we
know
we
have
a
lot
of
work
left
to
do
in
order
to
deliver
on
the
promise
of
housing
as
a
human
right
to
house
everyone.
We
need
to
stay
focused
on
this
dual
approach:
a
building
as
many
new
homes
of
all
types
as
we
can
and
continuing
to
strengthen
and
improve
this
the
system
for
serving
the
homeless.
B
D
Come
to
Vermont,
this
is
my
second
visit
and
I
really
appreciate
mayor
Weinberger.
You
always
provide
me
a
warm
welcome
and
anytime
I'm
here,
I
see
our
private,
non-profit,
local
state
and
federal
partners
coming
together
to
really
address
a
need.
I
want
to
thank
Mike
for
the
introduction.
As
we
all
know,
housing
is
a
critical
pillar
of
our
society.
It's
foundational
to
the
health
of
our
families,
communities
and
our
economy.
I
want
to
thank
mayor,
Weinberger
and
Brian
Pine
from
the
office
of
community
and
economic
development,
for
your
leadership
and
for
all.
D
You
have
done
to
prioritize
ending
homelessness
in
Burlington
and
a
special
thank
you
to
Sarah,
Russell
and
Marcella
Gangi,
for
all.
You
do
to
support
the
homeless
population
in
Burlington
and
also
I
must
must
acknowledge
my
incredible
team
here
in
Vermont,
a
special
thanks
to
Sean
Thomas,
who
is
our
HUD
Vermont
state
director
and
our
program,
analyst
Katie
Blanchard
for
all.
You
do
to
advance
Hud's
mission
in
the
state
and
to
provide
services
for
the
residents
of
Burlington.
Look
at
HUD.
D
We
are
focused
on
Housing
and
Community
Development,
with
a
dedication
to
equity,
inclusive
communities,
quality
and
affordable
homes
for
all.
Today,
I
am
proud
to
be
here
with
all
of
you
to
Spotlight
this
house
America
collaborative
effort.
This
partnership
is
a
perfect
example
of
what
is
possible
when
we
leverage
federal
state
and
local
resources
and
private
funding
to
address
a
crucial
need
in
our
community.
That
is
what
we
set
out
to
do.
D
When
we
began
house
America
back
in
2022
21,
we
called
on
Mayors
tribal
leader,
County
leaders,
Governors,
to
address
our
nation's
nation's
homelessness,
crisis
with
historic
American,
Rescue
plan,
Investments
and
other
federal
state
and
local
resources,
and
mayor
Weinberger
and
Burlington
answered
that
call.
We
are
reaffirming
today
that
commitment
and
celebrating
the
progress
you
have
made
here
in
re-housing,
homeless,
individuals
and
creating
more
affordable
housing.
D
Boosting
the
supply
of
a
quality
of
housing
is
every
in
every
Community
is
the
top
priority
of
President
Biden
secretary
fudge
and
HUD
construction
and
investment
for
affordable
housing
preservation
through
Hud's
rental
assistance,
demonstration
program
or
known
as
rad
has
surpassed
15
billion
dollars
Nationwide
since
the
program's
Inception
in
2013.
public
housing
authorities
Across.
D
The
Nation
have
leveraged
this
program
to
obtain
this
financing
for
the
construction,
Rehabilitation
and
preservation
of
affordable
rental
homes
for
low-income
families,
seniors
and
persons
with
disabilities
and
Burlington
has
stepped
up
to
the
challenge
and
surpassed
their
original
goals
by
not
only
preserving
the
current
stock
of
affordable
units,
but
also
developing
new
units
and
making
sure
we
have
a
pipeline
to
meet
the
need.
We
know
that
housing
is
fundamental
to
ensuring
thriving
communities
and
economic
Prosperity.
D
We
must
constantly
continue
to
find
ways
to
align
the
federal
state
and
local
government
to
induce
policies
that
reduce
housing
costs,
so
we
can
ensure
more
affordable
rents,
more
attainable,
Equitable
home
ownership
opportunities
within
our
communities.
At
HUD.
We
look
forward
to
continuing
to
work
together
with
Burlington
and
its
Partners
to
continue
to
advance
house
America
and
create
inclusive
communities.
Thank
you
so
much
for
having
me
I
really
appreciate
this
partnership.
Partnership
and
I
look
forward
to
coming
back.
C
E
Hello
I'd
like
to
start
by
introducing
my
colleague,
Dave
Regal,
who
is
the
newly
hired
housing
policy
and
planning
director
at
the
agency
of
Human
Services.
It's
important
to
mention
his
hire,
because
I
want
to
underscore
how
important
housing
is
in
Vermont
and
to
to
the
secretary
and
to
our
agency
I'd
like
to
thank
the
City
of
Burlington
and
the
fabulous
ceto
team.
E
Who've
already
been
thanked
quite
a
bit
today
for
really
taking
on
a
new
project
and
trying
something
creative
and
ingenuitive
I'd,
also
like
to
thank
mayor
Weinberger,
the
Champlain
Housing
Trust
and
the
other
agencies
that
stepped
up
to
partner
on
this
project.
Cvoeo's
Cora
team,
the
Turning
Point
Center
of
Chittenden
County,
Community,
Health,
Center
of
Burlington
and
Vermont
Criminal,
Justice
Reform.
E
E
We
appreciate
the
efforts
each
Community
has
has
made
across
the
state
to
address
homelessness.
This
is
a
challenge
that
takes
many
approaches
and
each
approach
is
valued.
This
project
meets
a
critical
shelter
need
in
Burlington
and
in
Chittenden
County
as
a
whole.
We
appreciate
the
city's
rapid
work.
It's
been
so
quick,
I
know
for
those
meshed
in
it.
It
probably
doesn't
feel
as
quick,
but
it
has
been
really
quick
work
to
learn
from
the
successful
efforts
like
this
in
Washington,
Wisconsin
and
Massachusetts.
E
This
is
a
critical
component
of
the
state's
efforts
to
ensure
that
vermonters
have
access
to
flexible
options
and
services
that
address
the
diverse
needs
throughout
through
the
pandemic
relief
recovery,
funding,
Vermont,
Vermont's,
traditional
and
sorry
and
Vermont's
traditional
housing
investments.
The
state
has
been
able
to
preserve
or
create
2
000
units
of
affordable
housing.
This
will
happen
by
2026,
but
we
actually
anticipate
that
it
may
happen
even
close,
even
sooner
than
that,
this
will
double
the
amount
of
existing
units.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
work
and
efforts.
Thank
you.
C
A
I
think
I
want
to
recognize
David
Regal,
who
worked
at
CHT.
We
hired
him
at
the
end
of
March
right
when
the
pandemic
was
starting.
Dave
was
leaving.
We
ran
after
him
and
said
you
know
what
we
have
a
job
for
you
and
we
hired
him
on
the
spot
and
he
he
led
cht's
work
throughout
the
last
couple
of
years
during
the
pandemic,
opening
up
motels,
closing
down
motels,
opening
up
motels,
shifting
Staffing
and
did
a
great
job
and
so
AHS.
A
You
owe
us
some
money,
I'm
looking
for
the
trade,
so
let
me
take
a
few
moments
before
I
invite
up
representatives
of
the
Congressional
Delegation,
just
to
say
a
few
words.
First
I
want
to
recognize
the
mayor
and
the
mayor's
team
for
the
work
that
they've
done
and
and
just
the
creation
of
the
Elmwood
Avenue
Shelter
Community.
Our
part
of
the
process
has
begun
and
we
intend
to
bring
years
of
hopefully
of
management
experience
to
the
shelter
giving
the
on-house
a
chance
to
move
from
shelter
into
permanently
informed,
affordable
homes.
That
is
our
goal.
A
A
We
still
have
some
positions
open,
but
people
do
need
permanent
housing,
and
at
this
time
we
have
560
apartments
in
various
stages
of
development
in
Burlington,
Colchester,
Williston,
South,
Burlington,
Shelburne,
Saint
Albans,
and
a
pretty
pretty
hefty
pipeline
to
meet
the
needs
of
affordable
housing
overall
and
over
over
180
of
those
apartments
will
be
reserved
for
people
who
are
homeless
next
month.
38
will
become
available
in
Williston
at
December.
A
This
opening
December
1st
and
soon
after
another
20
in
South
Burlington,
so
we're
doing
the
best
we
can
to
move
people
out
of
shelter
into
permanently
affordable
housing
and,
along
with
our
natural
turnover
rate,
apartments
that
become
available
because
people
are
moving
out
and
moving
on
and
within
CHT.
We
intend
to
house
over
300
homeless
households
over
the
next
few
years.
So
we
hope
to
do
our
part,
knowing
that
others
in
the
city
and
in
the
state
in
the
county
are
doing
that
part.
A
As
well,
let
me
say
a
few
words
about
B
hip,
the
Vermont
housing
Improvement
program.
It's
an
important
part
of
the
efforts
to
meet
the
goals
of
Hud's
housing,
America
initiative.
This
program
is
making
improvements
to
vacant
and
substandard
housing
and
making
those
apartments
available
to
homeless
households
for
a
period
of
time.
A
At
CST
we
have
60
apartments
right
now
underway
that
are
under
contract
of
consideration
and
for
the
state
of
Vermont.
There
are
hundreds
more
so
that
is
a
great
program
that
is
really
lending
the
effort,
so
I
I've
been
told
that
I
have
five
more
minutes
before
the
rain
starts,
so
I
want
to
go.
Let's
say:
I
want
to
go
and
order
if
I
could
have
Tom
Barry
from
Senator
Leahy
sassy.
A
few
words.
F
This
quickly
is
is
great.
It's
important
house
America
will
follow
through
on
that.
The
delegation
heard
that
some
of
the
treasury
rules
were
not
the
best
and
went
to
work
on
on
fixing
that
others
may
have
more
to
say
about
that.
But
there's
a
real
opportunity
now
is
playing
out
here,
and
you
know
just
just
thank
you
to
everybody
involved
with
making
this
reality
and
and
helping
to
make
sure
that
the
resources
that
have
been
provided
are
going
to
be
well
used.
G
Thank
you
thanks
Michael,
on
behalf
of
again
my
name
is
Earhart
montgom
with
Senator
Sanders
office.
Just
make
sure
we
got
that
right
on
behalf
of
Senator
Sanders
I
want
to
thank,
like
others
thank
mayor,
Weinberger,
Champlain,
Housing
Trust,
the
community
Economic
Development
Office,
really
everyone
who's
been
involved
in
making
possible
the
completion
of
these
30,
much
needed
new
shelters
for
our
unhoused
neighbors
in
the
winter
of
1982.
G
As
mayor
of
Burlington
Senator
centers
gathered
a
group
of
volunteers
together
to
address
the
growing
then
growing,
homeless,
population
in
Burlington,
which
led
to
the
creation
of
the
committee
on
temporary
shelter.
Tragically
40
years
later,
almost
600
000
people
are
still
living
on
the
streets
in
our
country,
On
Any
Given
night
and
over
2
000
people
are
living
in
emergency,
motels,
shelters
and
encampments.
Here
in
Vermont,
as
Senator
Sanders
would
say.
That
is
simply
unacceptable.
G
Today
too,
many
Americans,
including
far
too
many
vermonters,
do
not
have
a
safe
and
affordable
place
to
call
home.
Senator
Sanders
has
long
understood
the
value
of
Hud
and
other
Federal
resources
in
creating
more
affordable
housing,
opportunity,
community
and
equity.
For
all.
As
chair
of
the
Senate
budget
committee,
he
fought
hard
to
make
sure
that
Vermont
and
its
cities
and
towns
got
their
fair
share
of
American
Rescue
plan
funds
and
is
pleased
to
see
this
invaluable
Federal
resource
being
put
to
good
use,
providing
shelter
and
services
for
some
of
the
most
vulnerable
Among
Us.
G
He
looks
forward
to
the
success
of
the
goals
of
the
Elmwood
emergency
shelter
to
provide
residents
with
Refuge
from
the
elements,
their
own
four
walls,
electricity,
heat
and
air
conditioning
access
to
services
and
sanitary
facilities
and
a
path
to
permanent,
affordable
housing,
thanks
again
to
HUD
for
initiating
how's
America
to
the
mayor
and
City
for
joining
this
important
initiative,
and
congratulations
again
to
everyone
involved
in
making
this
much
needed
project
a
reality.
Thank
you.
H
Being
Dean
am
I
out,
Reach
Center
for
Congressman
Welch's
office
and
I
work
on
housing
policy,
Congressman
Walt
senti's
regrets
that
he
couldn't
be
here
with
you
all
today.
As
some
of
you
may
know,
Peter
began
his
career
as
a
Kennedy
fellow
working
on
racial
discrimination
in
housing
in
Chicago.
He
and
his
colleagues
worked
with
black
residents
who
were
denied
mortgages
because
of
their
race
in
Congress,
Peters
continued
to
Advocate
on
housing
provisions
and
needs
and
resources.
I
G
I
A
D
In
region,
one
the
six
New
England
states,
which
I
oversee
this
is
the
first
pod
model
that
I've
seen
I
think
you've
seen
a
lot
of
repurposing
hotels
to
meet
the
need.
But
it
is
great
to
see
how
the
mayor
is
partnering,
with
HUD
on
our
house
America
plan
to
meet
the
need
in
a
very
timely
manner
right
in
light
of
the
elements
in
the
changing
weather
that
will
be
occurring
here
in
Vermont
and
I.
Think
I
agree
with
what
Mike
said:
it's
about
getting
homeless,
individuals
and
families
into
permanent
housing.
D
D
Yeah
I
know
when
we
come
out
to
sites
like
this.
These
are
models
that
could
be
scaled.
You
know
when
I
visit
communities
and
I
get
to
see
the
work
that's
happening
on
the
ground.
It's
we
don't
have
to
recreate
the
wheel,
there's
best
practices,
so
I
look
forward
to
sharing
this.
This
Innovation
that's
happening.
This
collaboration,
that's
happening
here
all
with
these
pods
and
hopefully
we
can
see
other
communities
and
cities
take.
D
This
on
I
was
just
sharing
with
mayor
Weinberger,
as
I
was
coming
in
he's
like
oh,
but
all
communities
are
doing
this
and
I'm
like
no
they're.
Not.
You
should
be
proud,
I've
been
to
communities
where
they're
saying
the
homeless
population
Isn't
Our
concern
they're,
not
from
our
city.
They
should
not
be
here
and
so.
I
commend
Burlington
and
mayor
Weinberg
and
all
of
our
federal
and
state
partners
for
saying
they're,
voters
they're
our
neighbors.
They
could
be
our
friend
and
what
are
we
doing
to
meet
the
need?
D
And
so
this
is
a
great
example
and
I
look
forward
to
highlighting
this
with
our
HQ
partners
and
also
Partners
across
region.
One.
Thank
you.
No
I
look
forward
to
I'm
like
when.
Are
we
going
to
wrap
up
questions
because
I
want
to
peek
in
and
get
to
see
what
it
looks
like
inside,
and
we
know
right.
This
is
temporary.
D
The
goal
should
be
permanent
and
I
loved
hearing
from
Mike
and
mayor
Weinberg
are
about
wraparound
Services.
We
know
that
our
homeless
individuals
are
facing
mental
health
substance,
abuse,
behavioral
needs
and
so
making
sure
we
have
a
One-Stop
shop
here
to
meet
those
needs
and
get
people
into
permanent
housing
is
the
ultimate
goal
and
one
that
the
Biden
Harris
Administration
firmly
stands
by.
Thank
you.