We added 4 new units including 2 units with the Department of Corrections, 1 unit in collaboration with the Homeless Opportunity Grant Program, and 1 unit with the medical care system. With specific unit designations, we are able to commit apartments to subgroups of our Coordinated Entry list and reserve housing for some of the most vulnerable. We are excited to have a greater capacity to serve in the Springfield area community. We are in the process of furnishing these apartments, if you have furniture donations please reach out to adminassistant@sshpvt.org and we will collaborate on a pickup.
The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program has funds to assist households with past rent payments. Our case managers are meeting with households and landlords to apply for rental assistance. Please call our agency if you have questions and we can help with your application if you qualify.
We are also excited to announce a new addition to our team. Our next AmeriCorps VISTA, Brandy, will be starting August 16th. Our former VISTA, Bob is moving to Maryland to work in outdoor education. Brandy is excited to bring experience in video editing, acting, and a passion for housing issues and advocacy. Welcome Brandy to the SSHP team!
Brandy shared a bit about her interest in housing and hobbies.
What made you interested in housing assistance?
My own dealings with housing. I’ve had my own needs with it. I know how important it is to have a safe, reliable, and comfortable home and I also know that it can be really difficult to find that. The appeal is helping other people to find that, after I found the apartment I’m in now. I feel pretty lucky to have it. I think just being able to share something like that with other people is exciting.
What do you enjoy to do in your free time?
I’ve been enjoying coming to a beach that’s up the road from where I live. I drop my son off at summer camp, and go to the pond. I’ll come out and I’ll read or journal. I like getting outside walking or hiking. I like painting, art is a big one for me. I study herbalism in my free time, and I like working with plants. That’s been a fun thing I’ve been doing for a number of years now. A lot of it has to do with being outside in nature.