This year’s Homelessness Awareness Day and Memorial Vigil is taking place tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, at the State House in Montpelier.
A report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, released last month, showed an increase in homelessness in Vermont, and one of the largest increases in family homelessness in the country.
Throughout the day testimony will be offered in the House Appropriations, Senate Health and Welfare, and House General, Housing, and Military Affairs Committees where witnesses will stress the necessity of adequately funding programs working to alleviate poverty and homelessness in our state.
The day begins at 8:00am in the Card Room. Service providers and advocates will be there to share information about their respective programs, connect with policy makers, and see the work being done around the state.
At Noon community members, elected officials, administration representatives, and advocates will take to the State House steps for a Vigil to emphasize the urgency of the problems facing Vermonters who are homeless, to remember our friends and neighbors who have died without homes, and to bring awareness of the struggles of those still searching for safe and secure housing.
Following the Vigil, at 1:00pm individuals will assemble in the House Gallery to hear the reading of a Resolution calling attention to the crisis of homelessness in our state, and recognizing the hard work being done by homeless service providers and advocates.
The Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness is proud to be a co-sponsor, along with the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, of the day’s activities.
For more information, please contact Linda Ryan by email or phone at 802.373.6505 or Erhard Mahnke by email, phone at 802.233.2902.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
