Last updated: July 14, 2026
Bottom line
Vermont has real housing help, but no single program covers every need. Start with the most urgent problem: shelter, back rent, lower-cost housing, utilities, legal help, or homeownership.
If you have nowhere safe to sleep, call the Department for Children and Families (DCF) Emergency Housing line at 1-800-775-0506. After normal business hours, call 2-1-1. If you are behind on rent, contact your local Community Action agency and legal aid early. Vermont’s statewide Rental Arrears Eviction Prevention Program stopped taking new applications on April 1, 2026, after available funds were committed, so do not rely on an old application page.
For help beyond housing, ASMOM’s Vermont help guide covers food, cash, health, child care, and other support that may reduce pressure on your rent.
If you need housing help today
- No safe place tonight: Call DCF Emergency Housing at 1-800-775-0506. If it is after hours, on a weekend, or on a holiday, call 2-1-1. Vermont 211 says emergency housing intake by phone is available from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
- Need a shelter referral: Use the Vermont 211 contact page. For emergency housing, call rather than email or text.
- Eviction papers arrived: Use the Vermont eviction guide and ask for legal help right away. A pending rent-help request does not cancel a court date.
- Violence or stalking: Call 911 for immediate danger. The Vermont Network help page lists the statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-800-228-7395 and sexual violence hotline at 1-800-489-7273.
If someone may watch your phone or internet use, contact an advocate from a safer device when possible. ASMOM’s Vermont safety guide has more careful support paths.
Where to start in Vermont
Vermont housing help is spread across several agencies. You may need to use more than one path at the same time.
No place to sleep
Call DCF Emergency Housing first. Then call 211 for shelter and local resources. Ask for the Coordinated Entry lead agency serving your county.
Behind on rent
Call Community Action, get a written rent ledger from your landlord, and contact legal aid before court. ASMOM’s emergency rent guide explains other rent-help steps.
Need lower rent
Apply for project-based housing, public housing, nonprofit rentals, and any open voucher list. Keep every application updated.
Other bills are rising
Apply for food, child care, health, fuel, and transport help too. Lowering other costs may make a housing plan more workable.
For a wider housing overview, use ASMOM’s national housing guide while you contact Vermont programs.
Quick reference table
| Your situation | Best first step | Important reality |
|---|---|---|
| No safe place tonight | DCF Emergency Housing and 211 | Eligibility does not guarantee that a room or shelter bed is available. |
| Homeless or nearly homeless | Coordinated Entry lead agency | An assessment is not a promise of housing. |
| Back rent or eviction risk | Community Action and legal aid | The statewide arrears program closed to new applications on April 1, 2026. |
| Need Section 8 | VSHA and local authorities | The VSHA Housing Choice Voucher list is closed, but other lists may differ. |
| Need an affordable apartment | Rental directory and properties | Each property manages its own vacancies and waiting list. |
| Need fuel help | DCF and Community Action | Seasonal fuel applications are accepted year-round; crisis fuel is seasonal. |
| Eviction or discrimination | VTLawHelp and fair housing help | Deadlines can be short, so ask early. |
Emergency housing in Vermont
Vermont’s emergency housing system changed on July 1, 2026, when Act 143 created the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum. The new system includes prevention services, shelters, cold-weather shelter, specialized services, motel housing when shelter is unavailable, and longer-term housing support.
As of July 14, 2026, DCF says the main motel-program changes will not begin until September 1, 2026. Until then, DCF continues to use the emergency rules approved in March 2025. The current emergency housing guide explains this transition in plain language.
How to apply now
Call DCF Emergency Housing at 1-800-775-0506, preferably early in the day. Tell the worker that you are homeless, where you slept last night, who is in your household, and whether a child, pregnancy, disability, medical need, violence, stalking, trafficking, or court-ordered eviction affects the case.
Who may be prioritized
Current guidance says households may receive priority when a member is age 65 or older, has a disability, is a minor child, is pregnant, is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, stalking, trafficking, or another dangerous condition, or faces certain court-ordered or constructive evictions.
What the program requires
Applicants may need to show they intend to stay in Vermont, complete Coordinated Entry, work with a case manager, and follow program rules. Ask for every decision in writing.
Rules change September 1
Under Act 143, motel housing is expected to have a 70-day limit within a rolling 12-month period starting September 1, 2026. The law also sets room caps and requires a process for some health, disability, safety, treatment, and housing-placement exceptions. DCF must issue emergency rules before those changes begin, so confirm the final rules when you apply.
Shelter and Coordinated Entry
Coordinated Entry is Vermont’s local assessment and referral system for people who are homeless or at risk. It may connect a household with housing navigation, shelter, rapid rehousing, or supportive housing.
Use the Coordinated Entry leads page to find the agency serving your county. If you need somewhere to stay tonight, call 211 first and use the current shelter list as a backup. Openings can change during the day.
Reality check: Coordinated Entry is not a statewide waiting list and does not guarantee a voucher, room, or apartment. Complete the assessment, keep your contact details current, and ask what housing-search work you must do while waiting.
Rent help and eviction prevention
Vermont’s five Community Action agencies provide housing navigation. Current help may include back rent, deposits, short-term rent support, utilities, or referrals.
Use the local Community Action agency finder and give the worker your county, household size, rent balance, eviction status, income, and move-in needs. ASMOM’s Community Action guide explains what these agencies often do.
The Vermont State Housing Authority’s Rental Arrears Eviction Prevention Program is not taking new applications. The VSHA closure notice says applications closed at the end of April 1, 2026, because the program had enough requests to use all available funds.
Reality check: Old Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program pages may still appear in search results, but pandemic-era VERAP is not a current open statewide application path. Ask Community Action, 211, your Coordinated Entry lead, or legal aid about help that is active now.
Section 8, public housing, and affordable rentals
Housing Choice Vouchers help eligible households rent privately. Project-based help stays with a unit. Public housing and affordable properties use separate applications.
Vermont State Housing Authority
The Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) Housing Choice Voucher waiting list closed on January 31, 2025 and remains listed as closed. Project-based lists may still accept applications. Use the VSHA application page to see current choices, apply online, request a paper form, or update an existing application.
VSHA uses an online application portal. Applying does not guarantee a voucher or apartment. Final eligibility is checked after selection from a waiting list.
Other housing authorities
VSHA is not Vermont’s only housing authority. Use the HUD authority finder to locate local agencies and ask about public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and project-based units.
Affordable rental properties
Use the Vermont rental directory to search subsidized and affordable properties. Contact each manager directly about rent, deposits, vacancies, bedroom sizes, screening, accessibility, pets, and how to join the waiting list. VHFA finances affordable housing but does not take rental applications, as its VHFA rental guide explains.
The subsidized housing guide explains the difference between vouchers, public housing, and project-based help. ASMOM’s Section 8 guide gives a national overview.
| Housing path | How it works | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Choice Voucher | The subsidy can move with the family when program rules allow. | Is the list open, and how do I update my application? |
| Project-based voucher | The subsidy stays with a specific unit or property. | Which properties can I select, and are their lists open? |
| Public housing | A housing authority owns or manages the rental. | Do you have family units and local preferences? |
| Affordable property | Rent and income rules depend on the property’s funding. | What are the rent, deposit, income limit, and screening rules? |
While waiting, ASMOM’s Vermont food guide and Vermont child care page may help lower other household costs.
Fuel, electric, and gas help
Vermont Seasonal Fuel Assistance helps eligible households with heating costs. Applications are accepted year-round. Income limits and benefit amounts change, so use current DCF forms.
Crisis Fuel Assistance is handled through Community Action agencies during the heating season. It is for qualifying households facing a heating emergency, such as very low fuel, a disconnect notice tied to heat, or another covered crisis. The program is not open during July.
Use the VCAP energy programs page to find fuel, weatherization, and local help. ASMOM’s Vermont utility guide lists more bill-help paths.
Utility discounts
Income-qualified Green Mountain Power customers may receive a 25% discount on the customer and energy charges through the GMP discount program. Qualified Vermont Gas residential customers may receive a 20% discount through the Vermont Gas discount. DCF decides income eligibility for these programs.
Reality check: Call the utility before a shutoff date. Applying for fuel or a discount does not always stop collection or disconnection work by itself.
Eviction, repairs, and fair housing help
A landlord must use Vermont’s legal eviction process. Do not ignore a written notice, Summons and Complaint, rent-into-court request, or hearing date.
Use the Legal Help Tool to request screening by Legal Services Vermont and Vermont Legal Aid. People dealing with DCF emergency housing can also ask about the free emergency housing clinic. Appointments are limited.
Housing discrimination can involve unfair treatment because of children in the household, disability, race, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, or other protected grounds. The fair housing help page provides information and referrals.
ASMOM’s Vermont legal guide has more civil legal resources. This article gives general information and is not legal advice.
Homebuyer and homeowner help
Buying is not a fast answer to homelessness. Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) offers mortgages through participating lenders and two down payment options.
The VHFA buyer programs page lists ASSIST as a deferred 0% second mortgage of up to $10,000. It also lists a $15,000 First Generation Homebuyer grant for eligible borrowers while funds last. Both must be paired with a VHFA mortgage, and detailed income, first-time buyer, asset, and property rules apply.
ASMOM’s Vermont homebuyer guide explains these options in more detail. If you already own a home and are behind, contact your mortgage servicer and a HUD-approved housing counselor before a foreclosure deadline is close.
Documents to gather
Do not delay an emergency call while you search for every paper. Start the request, explain what you have, and ask what can be provided later or replaced with another form of proof.
| What to gather | Examples | Why it may matter |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID, passport, Tribal ID | Shows who is applying. |
| Household members | Birth records, school records, custody papers | Shows children and other people in the home. |
| Income | Pay stubs, benefit letters, support records | Used for income limits and rent calculations. |
| Housing | Lease, landlord details, rent ledger | Shows the rental terms and amount owed. |
| Emergency | Eviction notice, court papers, shelter statement | Shows why help is needed now. |
| Utilities | Fuel bill, account number, shutoff notice | Needed for fuel and utility programs. |
| Special needs | Pregnancy, disability, medical, or safety proof | May support priority or an accommodation request. |
| Application records | Case numbers, emails, screenshots, call notes | Helps track deadlines and follow-up. |
Use ASMOM’s documents checklist to build one folder. Keep copies and update every agency if your phone, email, address, income, or household changes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on old rent programs. The statewide rent-arrears program is closed, and VERAP is not a current open program.
- Waiting only for Section 8. Use shelter, rent help, legal aid, utility help, and property lists at the same time.
- Missing a message. Housing programs may remove applicants who do not respond or update contact details.
- Ignoring court papers. Financial help and the court case move on separate tracks.
- Paying for a fake list. No one can guarantee a voucher, emergency room, or priority placement for a fee.
- Not asking for an accommodation. Tell the program if disability, language, pregnancy, or another need makes its normal process hard to use.
If help is denied, delayed, or closed
Ask for the decision in writing. Check the reason, date, missing documents, appeal rights, and deadline. Write down the name of every worker you speak with.
For a DCF emergency housing denial or termination, ask for a fair hearing and request legal help quickly. Current legal guidance says you can ask the Human Services Board for temporary housing while an appeal is being decided, but the hearing officer decides whether to grant it.
If a rent fund is closed, ask Community Action and Coordinated Entry about Housing Opportunity Program funds, deposits, prevention, rapid rehousing, or other local help. ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you organize the next steps.
Backup steps while you wait
- Ask your child’s school for the McKinney-Vento liaison if your family is in a motel, shelter, car, or doubled up because of housing loss.
- Ask a landlord whether a written payment plan is possible while verified aid is pending.
- Apply to properties in more than one town if work, school, care, and transport make the move realistic.
- Use the HUD resource locator to search for housing and homelessness services.
ASMOM’s Vermont transportation guide may help with travel to shelters, work, court, or housing appointments.
Phone scripts
Calling DCF Emergency Housing
Hello, I am in Vermont and do not have a safe place to sleep tonight. My household includes _____. I last slept at _____. Can you screen me for emergency housing and tell me what proof or next steps you need today?
Calling 211
Hello, I need housing help in _____ County. I need shelter tonight, rent help, or Coordinated Entry. Which programs serve my town, and which phone numbers should I call now?
Calling Community Action
Hello, I am behind on rent or need move-in help. My rent balance is _____ and my deadline is _____. Are housing navigation, back-rent, deposit, or Housing Opportunity Program funds available?
Calling a housing authority
Hello, I want to apply for family housing. Which public housing, project-based, or voucher lists are open, and how do I update my contact information after applying?
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. Después del horario normal, llame al 2-1-1. Para renta atrasada, contacte una agencia de Community Action y ayuda legal. El programa estatal Rental Arrears Eviction Prevention dejó de aceptar solicitudes nuevas el 1 de abril de 2026.
La ley de vivienda de emergencia cambió el 1 de julio de 2026, pero DCF dice que los cambios principales del programa de moteles empiezan el 1 de septiembre. Pida toda decisión por escrito y mantenga su dirección, teléfono y correo electrónico actualizados.
Frequently asked questions
Can single mothers get emergency housing in Vermont?
Maybe. DCF checks homelessness, household details, current rules, and available shelter or motel space. Call 1-800-775-0506 and ask for a full screening.
What changed on July 1, 2026?
Act 143 created a broader Vermont homelessness response system. DCF says the main motel-program changes will begin September 1, 2026 after new emergency rules are issued.
Is Section 8 open in Vermont?
The VSHA Housing Choice Voucher list is closed. Project-based, public housing, local authority, and property lists may have different status, so check each current application page.
Can Vermont help with back rent?
Community Action agencies may have limited rent, deposit, or housing-navigation help. The statewide Rental Arrears Eviction Prevention Program closed to new applications on April 1, 2026.
What should I do after getting eviction papers?
Contact legal aid, read every paper, and follow all court deadlines. Apply for financial help too, but do not assume an aid request stops the eviction case.
Can I apply for several housing programs?
Yes. You can usually apply to several properties, housing authorities, project-based lists, and local programs. Keep each application updated and report changes quickly.
Last updated: July 14, 2026. Next review: October 14, 2026.
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 July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 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.