Virtual Policy Forum on Homelessness

State Treasurer Mike Pieciak will host a Virtual Policy Forum on Homelessness on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm with Vermont housing experts and University of Washington Assistant Professor Gregg Colburn, author of “Homelessness is a Housing Problem.”?

In "Homelessness is a Housing Problem," Professor Colburn challenges commonly held beliefs about the causes of homelessness in cities. Instead of attributing homelessness to factors like mental illness, poverty, or public assistance, Colburn argues that housing market conditions, specifically the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a more compelling and convincing explanation for the varying rates of homelessness among U.S. cities.?

The event follows the Treasurer’s recent commitment to prioritize new housing construction within the office’s revamped ‘10% in Vermont’ $100 million local investment program.?

The forum will also include a panel of Vermont housing experts, including:

• Maura Collins (Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency)
• Lindsay Mesa (Assistant Director, Pathways Vermont)
• Jess Graff (Co-Chair, Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness)
• Will Eberle (Executive Director, Recovery Vermont)

Who will discuss how Professor Colburn’s research is applicable to Vermont and its policies to address homelessness.?

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of panelists and can register for the event here:?https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/a6f4deb6-1eb0-496a-9b75-2e643f44c36f@20b4933b-baad-433c-9c02-70edcc7559c6/registration