WHEREAS, homelessness has been a persistent and growing problem within Vermont for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, homelessness assaults the human dignity of any individual affected, including children, young adults, working families, and veterans; and

WHEREAS, both the financial and human costs of homelessness strain public services including health care, mental health care, and education; and

WHEREAS, Vermont has a commitment to the quality of life for all of its citizens; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, Peter Shumlin, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor, do hereby re-establish and re-constitute the Vermont Council on Homelessness.

I. Composition and Appointments 

Members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor for three years terms until their successors are appointed and qualified.

Members shall include: the Secretary of Human Services or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living or designee; the Commissioner of Corrections or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development or designee; the Commissioner of Education or designee; the Executive Director of the Vermont State Housing Authority or designee; the Executive Director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency or designee; the Executive Director of the Housing and Conservation Board or designee; and

Six (6) representatives of entities engaged in preventing or addressing homelessness including representatives of shelter providers and the Continuum of Care;

Two (2) persons who have experienced homelessness and who are not otherwise included in another category;

Two (2) housing providers;

Two (2) at large members with a strong commitment to fighting homelessness.

II. Council Charge

The responsibilities of the Council shall include, but not be limited to:

A. Developing a Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Vermont which shall include annual targets for reducing the number of homeless people in Vermont and shall set forth plans to implement specific initiatives, including those developed at Governor Shumlin's June 2011 Summit on Homelessness;

B. Monitoring and revising the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness as necessary; and

C. Reporting to the Governor on July 1 of each calendar year regarding: (1) recommendations to the Administration regarding resource, policy, and regulatory changes necessary to accomplish the goals of the Plan, and (2) progress made under the Plan.

 III. Council Process

The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Council. The Council shall meet no less than quarterly. The Council shall establish sub-committees.

The Council shall be attached to the Agency of Human Services for administrative support. To the extent funds permit, community members shall receive reimbursement of expenses and a per diem pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010(e).

IV. Effective Dates 

This Order shall take effect upon signing and expire on December 31, 2022. This Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order 05-06 (codified as No. 33-15).

Dated January 25, 2012.