Montpelier temporary shelter closes

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Officials are searching for more housing options following the closure of a temporary homeless shelter in Central Vermont.

The shelter at the former Elks Club in Montpelier served over 80 people on average over the winter, but state funding ran out and the shelter closed last week and recent changes to government-subsidized hotel rooms mean fewer people are eligible.

Rick DeAngelis with Good Samaritan Haven, the group that operated the shelter, says he expects an uptick in unsheltered people.

“If they can’t find another option, what can they do other than to camp or be in a barn or under a bridge. That’s a problem for our communities and it’s a problem for the people involved,” he said.

DeAngelis says they are in talks with the city of Montpelier to try to lease the facility again or find an alternate site. Meanwhile, Good Samaratin’s outreach team is checking in on people who have to camp this summer.