This draft report provides a comprehensive look at the problem of homelessness in Vermont. Included are: national trends in homelessness, findings of a survey of the District Directors in State Social Welfare Offices, changes in the nature of the Vermont homeless population, myths and realities behind homelessness in Vermont, and recommendations for improving the problem. Two national estimates of homelessness are given: 250,000 to 350,000 persons (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and 2 to 3 million persons by the Community for Creative Non-Violence. The data pertaining to Vermont were collected by the State's Planning Commission and the goals were to identify the number of homeless people in Vermont; to identify factors affecting the size of the homeless population; and to identify ways in which the existing service delivery system could be more effective in meeting the basic needs of this population. The study found that 62 percent of the homeless population in Vermont were residents of the state and that, 38 percent were out-of-staters. The study also found that the major social problems behind homelessness were substance abuse, mental illness, and poverty. The average age of the homeless population was the early thirties. The authors report that the study dispelled the myths that deinstitutionalization has dumped mentally ill patients out on the streets and that the solution to the problem is money for more shelter beds. The report recommends interagency cooperation, state financial support, attention to individual needs and support from the local community.
Journal