This is What Stability Looks Like

CHT Hannah and Minu
CHT Hannah and Minu
CHT Hannah and Minu
CHT Hannah and Minu
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Hannah Pickett spoke at Champlain Housing Trust’s annual Cornerstone Luncheon in November 2024, a fundraising event attended by about 300 guests. Here are her remarks. 

 Good afternoon and thank you for having me.  

My name is Hannah, and I am a Champlain Housing Trust resident (CHT). I am here to share how CHT has changed my life. 

Knowing everyone here is in support of CHT helps to ease some of my nerves about public speaking. As a precaution, some of the topics mentioned can be difficult to hear. This is a story of hardship, resiliency and hope.  

I grew up in the beautiful state of Vermont. I am 37 years old and a graduate of the Community College of Vermont with a degree in medical assisting. I loved working in healthcare – helping providers, connecting with patients, and making a difference. 

But in 2018, I was rear ended in a car accident. My glasses flew off my face, everything in my car went flying and the glove box opened from the impact. My car wasn’t too badly damaged, so I assumed I was fine. I was NOT fine. 

I had lost basic skills like reading comprehension, math, executive functioning, telling time and suffered from daily migraines, exhaustion and confusion. It has taken me until recently to recover. 

I lost my job, had limited income and eventually received an eviction notice right before the pandemic. I was so sick and stressed from financial instability, I lost all of my hair.  

Upon eviction, I had nowhere to go. I lost most of my belongings, including my 15-year-old support cat. I was completely on my own with a damaged brain. 

I was overwhelmed, scared and confused about what to do. It was exhausting being exposed to the weather. I was having constant PTSD attacks. Losing time, blacking out not knowing where I was or what I was doing when they ended. I was very vulnerable, frail and weak. I was falling asleep in public. As a single woman, this was very dangerous. 

Our area does not have enough shelters to support the unhoused. There are a limited number of beds. I never felt safe to bunk with a stranger.  Due to my brain injury, I could never make it on time to stand in line for hours to try to get a bed. After some time, I was hospitalized. It took me a month and a half before I had enough strength to leave the hospital. 

A nurse case manager helped me apply for disability and the emergency hotel program during the pandemic which helped me survive. 

Without a stable address I wouldn’t have been able to apply for social security benefits or secure housing. I finally located my emotional support animal Minu. He was with animal control and was being processed to be sent to a shelter. Conditions at the motel were rough, but I had a roof over my head and was grateful. 

My nurse care manager helped connect me with CHT, leading me to secure housing once my Section 8 voucher was approved. There is typically a 5-year waiting list for Section 8. 

There is a lack of affordable housing for the low income and disabled in Vermont. My social security benefits would not cover one month’s rent for a one-bedroom apartment at market rate. 

I moved into a CHT apartment just in time and finally had a safe space to rebuild my life. 

My apartment is beautiful, spacious and full of light with large windows. 

Minu loves to watch the birds. I love to bake and share goodies with my neighbors. 

There is a view of Camel’s Hump from the kitchen where I have coffee every morning. When I walked in, I knew we were finally home. 

Without CHT’s support, I wouldn’t have been able to secure housing. Most people are unhoused for reasons like losing your good health such as myself, leaving an abusive relationship, trauma, a death, or falling behind on rent or a mortgage. 

Because of CHT, I am safe, healthy and happy. I have not had a PTSD related event in two years. As you can see… I now have hair. This is what stability looks like. 

Today I live at Zephyr Place, a former hotel converted by CHT. Many of the residents share a similar or more difficult story. We have a sense of community at Zephyr Place with a monthly coffee hour, ice cream socials and summer gardening activities with our property manager Larissa. These things matter so much to us. 

Our Resident Services Coordinator Katy helped me turn my hobby, card making, into a small business. Because of Champlain housing Trust I have a fulfilling life. I am able to volunteer in the community and make art during the few moments I am not in pain. 

Through my art, I am able to help others express how much they care for one another. CHT has given me stability, safety and a new sense of purpose. 

After being asked here to speak here, I have realized that I am passionate about advocating for others who have brain injuries and people facing housing insecurity. Being here today is the first step on my new journey for making the world a better place again.  

Thank you.