The City of Rutland held a meeting requesting vacant property owners to make preparations ahead of a possible increase in homelessness Wednesday.The meeting has been prompted by the dwindling hotel-motel voucher program that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, the state will soon be unable to provide voucher extensions and has created worry among city leaders and homeless advocates. Wednesday’s meeting was run by Mayor Mike Doenges and Kevin Blongy with Building and Zoning. “Our basic concern is that this is no fault of the City of Rutland, this is the state that created this program and is now ending it with no real exit plan,” Blongy said. The mayor says the effects are already starting to take shape. “A majority of individuals have been using all of their vouchers throughout the summer to stay in the hotels. The reason that this is being brought to attention now is we’ve started to see some of those people leave already.”Owners of vacant buildings are asked to do the following: Have buildings registered with the city Ensure power is off, unless necessary for alarm systemsClose off doors and windows not visible from street viewPut up No trespassing signageHave a commitment to routine checks of the propertyWhile the meeting targeted vacant property owners, the community is working to provide resources for those in need.”What we’re charged with is creating a strategic plan for the City of Rutland as the General Assistance Emergency Program winds down,” Megan Novak, one of the Homeless Response Coordinators for the city said. “Part of that is learning about the resources and the organizations available in the City of Rutland and maybe figuring out how we can make some connections, or strengthen existing connections between those organizations who are working on that. Another part of that would be working on a transitional housing program, if everything falls into place to get that off the ground.”One local nonprofit is taking action too. New Story Center works with victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. Executive Director Avaloi Lanning says their programs offer temporary housing and that anyone in need should contact them. “We are here for those that are fleeing violence, sometimes that is occurring in the motels, people who haven’t used our services in the past, or experiencing violence,” Lanning said. There’s definitely overlap between what we do and the general homeless population.”There will be a public forum on the topic of homelessness at Rutland City Hall in September. The exact date will be posted on their website.
The City of Rutland held a meeting requesting vacant property owners to make preparations ahead of a possible increase in homelessness Wednesday.
The meeting has been prompted by the dwindling hotel-motel voucher program that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertisement
Two years later, the state will soon be unable to provide voucher extensions and has created worry among city leaders and homeless advocates.
Wednesday’s meeting was run by Mayor Mike Doenges and Kevin Blongy with Building and Zoning.
“Our basic concern is that this is no fault of the City of Rutland, this is the state that created this program and is now ending it with no real exit plan,” Blongy said.
The mayor says the effects are already starting to take shape.
“A majority of individuals have been using all of their vouchers throughout the summer to stay in the hotels. The reason that this is being brought to attention now is we’ve started to see some of those people leave already.”
Owners of vacant buildings are asked to do the following:
- Have buildings registered with the city
- Ensure power is off, unless necessary for alarm systems
- Close off doors and windows not visible from street view
- Put up No trespassing signage
- Have a commitment to routine checks of the property
While the meeting targeted vacant property owners, the community is working to provide resources for those in need.
“What we’re charged with is creating a strategic plan for the City of Rutland as the General Assistance Emergency Program winds down,” Megan Novak, one of the Homeless Response Coordinators for the city said. “Part of that is learning about the resources and the organizations available in the City of Rutland and maybe figuring out how we can make some connections, or strengthen existing connections between those organizations who are working on that. Another part of that would be working on a transitional housing program, if everything falls into place to get that off the ground.”
One local nonprofit is taking action too. New Story Center works with victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. Executive Director Avaloi Lanning says their programs offer temporary housing and that anyone in need should contact them.
“We are here for those that are fleeing violence, sometimes that is occurring in the motels, people who haven’t used our services in the past, or experiencing violence,” Lanning said. There’s definitely overlap between what we do and the general homeless population.”
There will be a public forum on the topic of homelessness at Rutland City Hall in September. The exact date will be posted on their website.
