COTS says shelters are at capacity

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BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – As winter days become colder, concerns continue for the homeless population in Burlington

The Committee on Temporary Shelter says all of their shelters as well as their day station are at capacity. Officials say they have had over 600 unique visits by individuals over the past three months and an increase in people showing up with frostbite and other weather-related injuries. They say they need more help from the state for both funding and space. At the same time, they are being told to prepare to see more people come spring.

“Our colleagues at the state are looking for some solutions to this problem as well and put out a call for local shelters to do a little more come April 1st when the motel program again winds down,” said Jonathan Farrell with COTS.

The city recently opened up another shelter at the old VFW that is also at capacity.