2011 Vermont Code
Title 03 Appendix Executive Orders
Chapter 33 HUMAN SERVICES
§ 15 33-15. (No. 05-06) [Vermont Interagency Council on Homelessness]

Executive Order No. 33-15

(No. 05-06)

[Vermont Interagency Council on Homelessness]

WHEREAS, the number of homeless persons and families in the nation and this State has increased in recent years; and

WHEREAS, Vermont's available shelter beds have been over capacity for the last three years; and

WHEREAS, the causes of homelessness are many and complex, and homeless individuals and families have diverse needs; and

WHEREAS, the problem of homelessness denies a segment of our population a basic need for adequate shelter; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, several State agencies and service providers that offer programs and services for homeless persons and families were convened by Executive Order No. 18-03 to serve as an Interagency Council on Homelessness (hereinafter the Council); and

WHEREAS, the Council developed a ten-year plan for meeting the goal of providing adequate housing stock by 2015 to meet the needs of all people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and

WHEREAS, the Council identified gaps in Vermont's current statewide system of homelessness provider care that must be addressed, and

WHEREAS, the Council identified the need for additional collaboration among provider agencies and programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James H. Douglas, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor of the State of Vermont, do hereby re-establish and re-constitute the Vermont Interagency Council on Homelessness for the purpose of improving the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens' lives.

The Council shall consist of the following:

· the Director of Housing and Transportation of the Agency of Human Services,

· the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs,

· the Commissioner of the Department for Children and Family Services,

· the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections,

· the Commissioner of the Department of Health,

· the Commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living,

· the Deputy Commissioner of Field Services of the Department for Children and Families,

· the Director of the Office of Vermont Health Access,

· the Commissioner of the Department of Labor,

· the Commissioner of the Department of Education,

· the Executive Director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency,

· the Executive Director of the Vermont State Housing Authority,

· the Executive Director of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board,

· a representative from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,

· a representative from the U.S. Social Security Administration,

· a representative from the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care, appointed by the Governor; and

· a representative from the Chittenden County Continuum of Care, appointed by the Governor.

The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Council. The Chair and the Governor's appointees shall serve a term of two years. Where appropriate, Commissioners may designate Deputy Commissioners.

The Council shall meet quarterly and at other times at the call of the Chair. The Council shall be attached to the Agency of Human Services for administrative and staff support services. In addition to the above-named Council members, each commissioner and executive director shall actively engage deputy commissioners and program managers as required for success.

The Council shall have the following functions and duties:

1. to serve as the single statewide homelessness planning and policy development resource for the State of Vermont; and

2. to review and revise by December 31, 2006 the ten-year plan to end homelessness in the State of Vermont; and

3. thereafter, to review the plan annually and recommend changes to the Governor annually by December 31st; and

4. to develop a strategy to implement the ten-year plan and to recommend resource, policy and regulatory changes necessary to accomplish the goals of the plan by December 31, 2016; and

5. to monitor and oversee implementation of the plan to ensure accountability and results consistent with the plan.

This Executive Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order No. 18-03 (codified as No. 33-11). This Order shall take effect upon signing and expire on December 31, 2015.

Dated August 31, 2006.