Champlain Housing Trust just purchased two buildings in St. Albans to expand the shelter capacity in Franklin County, working with community organizations to add 19 new shelter beds for people who are unhoused. The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board made two grants totaling about $2.2 million to purchase the buildings, one of which needs additional rehab work.
CHT is working with Spectrum Youth & Family Services to create ten new beds for youth and young adults aged 18-24. The second building will be operated by CVOEO’s Voices Against Violence program and will offer nine beds for those fleeing domestic violence.
Last winter’s annual Point In Time count found 140 Vermonters in Franklin County experiencing homelessness, up from 53 just four years ago. The 2024 count included 24 adults fleeing domestic violence and 21 children overall who were unhoused.
The buildings should be up an operational by the end of the year or early 2025.