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Homeless Shelters, Emergency Housing and Help for People Who Are Homeless

For Vermonters impacted by recent flooding who need emergency housing, call 1-800-775-0506 to find out about the General Assistance Housing Program (Hotel or Motel) for Catastrophic Need. If your application is denied under this program, you have the right to appeal that decision. If you are denied or terminated from a shelter, subsidy or emergency housing, fill out our form and we will call you back. Or call us for help at 1-800-889-2047. Be sure to give us some details about your problem.

This page has a list of shelters and programs in Vermont. It also has phone numbers for people who can help you get housing or keep housing. Also, you will find links to resources to food and other help you may need if you are homeless.

Shelters

Looking for a safe place to sleep tonight? Call 2-1-1 to find a shelter near you.

Barre

Bennington

Brattleboro

Burlington

Ludlow

Newport

Proctorsville

Rutland

St. Albans

Vergennes

White River Junction

For more information about shelters, call 2-1-1 or go online to Vermont211.org.

Warming shelters

Churches, agencies and organizations in some Vermont towns have winter warming shelters to offer additional spaces for people who need temporary shelter in the winter. To find out if there is a warming shelter in your area, call 2-1-1 or go online to Vermont211.org.

Need help to get or keep housing?

As part of a Coordinated Entry System, dozens of local organizations are working together to help those who are experiencing homelessness – or are at risk of homelessness. They can help you find housing and get connected to support and resources in the community. Contact the lead agency in your area to get connected.

Emergency housing

  • Looking for a safe place to sleep tonight? Call 2-1-1 to find a shelter near you.
  • The Department for Children and Family's (DCF) Economic Services Division offers emergency assistance / emergency housing for homeless households. For more information or to apply, contact the Benefits Service Center at 1-800-479-6151. Or call the DCF Emergency Housing line at 1-800-775-0506. If it is after business hours or on a weekend or holiday, call 2-1-1. When you apply for shelter with DCF, they will let you know if a shelter has opened in your area.
  • If you stay in a shelter or motel, you need to participate in “coordinated entry.” Through coordinated entry, you will be assigned a housing case manager who will help you access subsidies and programs to help you get permanent housing. To learn more about coordinated entry, call 2-1-1.
  • If you are denied or terminated from a shelter, subsidy or emergency housing, fill out our form and we will call you back. Or call us for help at 1-800-889-2047. Be sure to give us some details about your problem. Your information will be sent to Legal Services Vermont, which screens requests for help for both Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont.
  • Veterans can get housing help from the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program at 1-844-820-3232 (toll-free); the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (toll-free); or Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-666-9844 (toll-free). Vermont Veterans facing eviction or foreclosure should contact the Safely Home project for advice and help.

Learn about the hotel / motel emergency housing program

Learn more about the hotel / motel program.

Other resources for people who are homeless

  1. Know your rights as an unsheltered Vermonter - ACLU
  2. COTS’ Community Resource Guide for Burlington (Finding shelters, food, services, medical help, counseling)
  3. CCHAVT list of resource centers, availability of tents and supplies, public bathroom access, and free food in and around Burlington.
  4. Help for veterans from the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program at 1-844-820-3232 (toll-free); the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (toll-free); or Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-666-9844 (toll-free). Vermont Veterans facing eviction or foreclosure should contact the Safely Home project for advice and help.
  5. Links to Resources for Homeless (HUD)
  6. National Coalition for the Homeless
  7. Our web page about Subsidized Housing
Updated: Sep 06, 2023