Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
Housing help in Vermont is real, but it is limited and often slow. If you are homeless tonight, start with DCF emergency housing, 2-1-1, and the local Coordinated Entry lead agency for your county. If you need longer-term help, apply for more than one kind of housing: Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based apartments, public housing, and nonprofit affordable rentals.
This guide is written for single mothers, pregnant mothers, and caregivers in Vermont. Most programs listed here also serve single fathers, two-parent families, older adults, people with disabilities, and other eligible renters. For a wider benefits overview, use our Vermont help guide along with the steps below.
If you need housing help today
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If abuse, stalking, or violence is part of why you cannot stay where you are, call the Vermont domestic violence hotline at 1-800-228-7395 or the sexual violence hotline at 1-800-489-7273. The Vermont Network can connect you with local advocacy and shelter help without you having to explain everything to many different offices.
- If you are homeless tonight: call DCF Emergency Housing at 1-800-775-0506 as early in the day as you can. If it is after hours or the weekend, call 2-1-1 and ask for shelter options.
- If you need a shelter bed: use the emergency shelter list and still call 2-1-1, because openings change.
- If eviction papers arrived: contact legal aid quickly. Do not skip a court date. Start with VTLawHelp and keep every notice.
- If heat or power may be shut off: call your fuel dealer or utility, then your Community Action agency. Ask about crisis fuel, utility discounts, and payment plans.
Where to start
Start with the need that is most urgent. One office may handle emergency motel help, another may handle homeless services, and each affordable apartment may have its own waitlist.
No safe place tonight
Call DCF Emergency Housing at 1-800-775-0506. Then search Vermont 211 for nearby shelters, warming sites, food, and local help.
Behind on rent
Call your local Community Action agency, ask your landlord for a written balance, and contact legal aid before court. Our rental help guide explains national rent-help paths.
Need cheaper rent
Apply through housing authorities and property managers. Check VSHA, public housing, project-based units, and the Vermont affordable rental directory.
Heat or utilities
Apply for fuel help and ask about utility discounts. Our Vermont utility help page may also help you sort shutoff options.
Quick reference table
| Situation | First call or site | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| No place to sleep | DCF Emergency Housing and 2-1-1 | Ask for emergency housing, shelter, and Coordinated Entry | Eligibility and room openings can change by day. |
| Homeless or nearly homeless | lead agency list by county | Ask for a Coordinated Entry assessment | Assessment is not the same as getting housing right away. |
| Eviction notice or court | Vermont Legal Aid or Legal Services Vermont | Ask if they can help with eviction, subsidy, repairs, or benefits | Call early. Legal help may not be able to take every case. |
| Need long-term lower rent | VSHA application page | Ask which voucher, public housing, or project-based lists are open | Applying does not mean you will get a voucher. |
| Need affordable apartments | rental directory by VHFA | Ask each property how to apply and whether the list is open | Each property controls its own list and application rules. |
| Heat or electric bill | Community Action or DCF energy programs | Ask about fuel help, crisis fuel, and utility discounts | Do not wait until the tank is empty or power is off. |
Emergency housing in Vermont
The Vermont Department for Children and Families runs General Assistance Emergency Housing. For FY2026, the state guide says a household must first lack a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep and must not have shelter space it can access. Then the household is screened for an eligibility category, such as a child age 19 or younger in the household, pregnancy, age 65 or older, disability, domestic violence or other dangerous conditions, natural disaster, or certain eviction situations.
The FY2026 rules are detailed and can change. The FY2026 housing guide says households must also work on housing search steps, such as Coordinated Entry, case management, getting ID documents, or applying for permanent housing. VTLawHelp has a plain-language emergency housing guide that explains the 80-night rule, winter rules, and appeal steps.
How to apply: Call DCF Emergency Housing at 1-800-775-0506. If you have no phone, ask a school, clinic, shelter, library, advocate, or Community Action office if you can call from there.
What it may help with: Temporary motel or hotel placement when the program has space and your household meets current rules. DCF may also refer families to shelters when a safe shelter option is available.
Who may qualify: Rules depend on the current fiscal-year law, family members, disability or pregnancy status, the reason you lost housing, income, resources, and whether other shelter is available. Families with children should say clearly if a child lives with them, even part time.
Emergency housing is not a long-term plan
Emergency housing can stop because of night limits, room caps, missing paperwork, housing-search tasks, or shelter availability. Ask for Coordinated Entry right away and keep notes of every call.
Rent help and eviction prevention
If you are behind on rent, do not wait for a court date to ask for help. Start with your county Community Action agency. The Community Action help page explains that Vermont’s five Community Action agencies cover the state and help families in crisis with housing, energy, and other needs.
Ask for rent help, move-in help, landlord mediation, security deposit referrals, or help making a plan. Funds open and close, and workers may know about local aid that is not easy to find online.
If court papers have been filed, housing help and legal help should happen at the same time. Vermont Legal Aid helps low-income Vermonters with civil problems, including eviction, benefits, discrimination, and landlord issues. The Legal Services Vermont site and the Legal Help Tool can help you ask for help.
What it may help with: Back rent, move-in costs, utility arrears, negotiation, legal information, court forms, repairs, subsidy problems, or referrals.
Who may qualify: This depends on the funding source. Some programs look at income, household size, eviction risk, disability, children in the home, location, or whether you already received help.
Reality check: Vermont’s pandemic rental aid and local eviction prevention funds have changed over time. Do not rely on old online posts that say a rent program is open. Confirm with 2-1-1, Community Action, VSHA, or legal aid before you count on it.
Section 8, public housing, and affordable rentals
For long-term help, apply in several places. A Housing Choice Voucher, also called Section 8, helps eligible households rent from a private landlord when a housing authority has funding and your household is selected. HUD’s voucher guide explains that the subsidy is paid to the landlord, and the family pays its share based on program rules.
Vermont State Housing Authority uses an online application system through AffordableHousing.com. The VSHA application page says applying does not guarantee a Housing Choice or project-based voucher, and final eligibility is decided after you are selected from a waitlist. You can use the VSHA portal to create an account, apply, and update your information.
Do not stop with one application. Use the HUD PHA finder to find local housing authorities. Check public housing, project-based units, and nonprofit affordable rentals. VHFA says its directory lists subsidized rentals, but VHFA does not manage properties or take rental applications itself. Use the rental housing FAQ to understand the limits.
Also check VTLawHelp’s subsidized housing guide for plain-language help with different kinds of subsidized housing. If you want a national explanation of voucher basics, see our Section 8 guide.
| Housing path | How it works | Where to apply | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Choice Voucher | You rent from a private landlord if you receive a voucher. | VSHA or a local housing authority when a list is open. | Update your address and email right away if they change. |
| Project-based voucher | The rental help is tied to a specific apartment or building. | Housing authority portal or property manager. | Ask if moving later will affect the assistance. |
| Public housing | A housing authority owns or manages the property. | Local public housing authority. | Ask about family units, preferences, and wait times. |
| Affordable nonprofit rentals | Rents are restricted by funding rules, but rules vary. | Property manager or nonprofit owner. | Apply to many properties, not just one town. |
Utility, fuel, and weather help
Housing is harder to keep when heat, electricity, water, or fuel is at risk. Vermont has fuel assistance, crisis fuel, utility discounts, and weatherization help, but the right office depends on your bill and where you live.
For heating emergencies, Community Action agencies help with crisis fuel. CVOEO’s Crisis Fuel page explains that the program can help with emergency heating needs and, for some homeowners, heating system repair or replacement. Other Community Action agencies provide similar help in their service areas.
Green Mountain Power says its Energy Assistance Program gives income-qualified customers a 25% monthly discount on the customer charge and energy charge. Read the GMP discount details before you apply. Vermont Gas says its low-income program gives qualified residential customers a 20% discount, and eligibility is determined by DCF. See the VGS discount page if Vermont Gas serves your home.
For more help with bills, our utility bill help guide covers common paths, and our Vermont emergency help page lists other urgent aid options.
If you are trying to buy instead of rent
Homebuying is not the fastest answer to a crisis, but it may help if you have steady income. The VHFA ASSIST page explains that ASSIST works with a VHFA first mortgage and is repaid when the first mortgage is refinanced or the home is sold. Our Vermont homebuyer help page can help you compare options.
Documents and information to gather
You may not need every document for every program. Still, keeping a folder can save time. If you do not have a document, apply anyway and ask what can be used instead.
| What to gather | Why it matters | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID, birth certificates, Social Security numbers if available | Programs use these to confirm household members and age. | Ask if school records, medical records, or other proof can help. |
| Proof of income | Needed for vouchers, rent help, fuel help, and many rentals. | Ask about self-employment, child support, or no-income forms. |
| Lease, rent ledger, eviction notice, or court papers | Shows the problem and the amount owed. | Ask your landlord or court clerk for copies. |
| Utility bills or shutoff notices | Needed for fuel, electric, gas, water, or arrears help. | Ask the utility for a current account printout. |
| Proof of pregnancy, disability, or safety issue | Can matter for emergency housing, preferences, or accommodations. | Ask a doctor, advocate, or case manager what proof is safest to provide. |
| List of places you called | Shows housing search efforts and helps avoid repeated calls. | Start a phone note with dates, names, and next steps. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying only to one list. Apply to several housing authorities, properties, and towns if you can travel or move.
- Missing mail or email. A missed letter can lead to removal from a waitlist. Update your contact information right away.
- Ignoring court papers. Court deadlines matter. Ask legal aid or the court clerk what the notice means.
- Waiting until shutoff day. Call early for fuel or electric help. Some programs need time to review papers.
- Paying a fee for a fake list. Do not pay anyone who promises a voucher, a secret grant, or fast approval.
- Not asking for accommodation. If disability, pregnancy, language access, or safety affects your ability to use a program, ask for a reasonable accommodation or language help.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for a written notice. A written notice can show the reason, the date, and appeal rights. If you only get a phone answer, write down the date, time, worker name, and exact reason you were given.
For emergency housing denials, VTLawHelp explains appeal steps and says legal aid may be able to help if you contact them quickly. For discrimination, the fair housing handbook gives an overview of Vermont fair housing rights and complaint options.
If you need other support while housing is pending, use related help that may free up cash for rent. You may qualify for Vermont SNAP help, Vermont child care, Vermont health coverage, or Vermont transportation help.
Backup options while you wait
- Ask Coordinated Entry whether any rapid rehousing, housing navigation, family shelter, or prevention option fits your case.
- Search the HUD resource locator for affordable housing and homelessness resources near a town where you can live.
- Ask your child’s school McKinney-Vento liaison if your child lost housing or is doubled up because of hardship.
- Ask property managers about smaller towns, project-based units, accessible units, family units, and waitlist preferences.
Phone scripts
Calling DCF Emergency Housing
“Hi, my name is ____. I am in Vermont and I do not have a safe place to sleep tonight. I have ____ children with me / I am pregnant / I have a disability / I lost housing because of ____. Can you screen me for General Assistance Emergency Housing and tell me what proof you need today?”
Calling 2-1-1
“I need shelter or housing help in or near ____ County. I have children with me. Can you tell me which shelters, Coordinated Entry lead agency, Community Action office, and rent-help programs I should call today?”
Calling a housing authority
“I want to apply for any open family housing lists, including Section 8, public housing, and project-based units. Can you tell me which lists are open, how to apply, and how to update my address if it changes?”
Calling legal aid
“I received an eviction notice or court papers. My hearing date is ____. I am a low-income renter with children. Can you screen me for help, and can you tell me what I should bring to court?”
Resumen en español
Si no tiene un lugar seguro para dormir esta noche en Vermont, llame a DCF Emergency Housing al 1-800-775-0506. Si es de noche o fin de semana, marque 2-1-1. Si hay violencia o peligro, llame al 911 si está en peligro inmediato, o llame a la línea estatal de violencia doméstica al 1-800-228-7395. Para ayuda más estable, aplique a varias listas: Section 8, vivienda pública, apartamentos con subsidio y propiedades de renta accesible. Si le niegan ayuda, pida la decisión por escrito y contacte ayuda legal.
FAQ
Can single mothers get emergency housing in Vermont?
Maybe. Vermont’s General Assistance Emergency Housing rules depend on current law, eligibility category, shelter availability, income, resources, and the reason your household lost housing. Call DCF Emergency Housing at 1-800-775-0506 and ask to be screened.
Is Section 8 open in Vermont?
It depends on the housing authority and the type of list. Some Housing Choice Voucher lists may be closed while public housing, project-based, or local lists may be open. Check VSHA, local housing authorities, and property managers often.
Can Vermont help with back rent?
Sometimes. Rent-help funds change often and may depend on your county, income, eviction risk, and funding. Call your Community Action agency, 2-1-1, and legal aid if eviction is involved.
What should I do if I get eviction papers?
Do not ignore the papers and do not miss court. Contact Vermont Legal Aid or Legal Services Vermont as soon as possible. Bring your lease, notices, rent ledger, payment proof, repair records, and any benefit or subsidy papers.
Can a landlord reject me because I have children or a voucher?
Fair housing rules may protect families with children and people using public assistance, but the facts matter. If you think a landlord discriminated against you, write down what happened and contact legal aid or a fair housing agency.
Where can I find affordable apartments in Vermont?
Use the Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing, VSHA’s application portal, local housing authorities, nonprofit housing providers, and property managers. Apply to more than one place and keep your contact information updated.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 19, 2026, next review August 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.