Vermont hotel-motel evictions temporarily halted

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Homeless Vermonters will get more warning before they lose their state-sponsored housing. Friday’s decision from a judge comes after a lawsuit claiming the evictions were unconstitutional.

As of last week, the Agency of Human Services says just over 1,000 households were eligible for the state’s hotel-motel program. That includes about 1,300 adults and 470 children.

The ruling means anyone currently in the program cannot lose their benefits without ample notice from the Department for Children and Families.

Vermont Legal Aid sued a year ago when eligibility changed from winter housing rules to warm weather rules. They say people were being kicked out of hotels and motels without advance notice or the opportunity to challenge the decision.

The program allows those eligible to stay for up to 80 days. And under the order, those with time left have to get the chance to have a hearing to make their case to stay.

“People in this program are entitled to due process and it seems like that would be a no-brainer but it hasn’t been. There hasn’t been a decision that recognizes that. Before you can be kicked out of your only home, you should have an opportunity to say, ‘No, that’s wrong, I’m actually eligible,’” said Sandra Paritz of Vermont Legal Aid.

It’s unclear exactly how much time DCF is required to give people.

DCF Commissioner Chris Winters tells WCAX News the department is making changes to comply with the court’s order. He says anyone with questions should contact DCF, but they might have “significantly longer” wait times because of additional work from this order.

Vermont Legal Aid says those who have already been evicted from hotels and motels do not fall under this order. It’s in place until the next hearing in two weeks.

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