MONTPELIER — Vermont 211 continues to be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year, to connect Vermonters with essential resources: including local shelters, cold weather shelters, food, transportation, and other health and human services.
However, Vermont 211 has been notified by the state of Vermont that, effective Sept. 1, it’s no longer authorized to support intake for the new Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum (VHRC), nor to provide other critical support for the program, after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and on weekends and holidays.
General Assistance Emergency Housing intake and eligibility screening for the VHRC is now available only through the state’s Economic Services Division (ESD), Monday to Friday, 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m., at 1-800-775-0506.
Individuals who need help placing the call, or who need accessible options, should visit their local district office in person.
Beginning Sept. 1, individuals applying for emergency housing must also complete a health questionnaire and housing assessment as part of the new Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum, administered by the Department for Children and Families.
Previously, Vermont 211 handled Emergency Housing intake specifically during the evenings, weekends and holidays when state offices were closed; daytime intake has always been handled directly by ESD. Under the new policy, Vermonters can access the program only during ESD’s weekday business hours — with no coverage in the evenings, on weekends, or on holidays. In August 2026 alone, Vermont 211 handled 1,247 calls related to emergency housing and completed 542 intakes outside of ESD’s business hours.
This policy change to remove 211’s support has raised concern among the community and service providers, particularly with winter arriving, when the need for reliable, round-the-clock access to emergency housing support becomes even more critical. More than 60 Vermont organizations and community leaders including United Ways across the state, the ACLU of Vermont, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, the Vermont Foodbank, and numerous parent-child centers, housing providers, and human service agencies, have sent an open letter to Agency of Human Services Secretary calling on AHS and the Department for Children and Families to immediately reverse the change.
“United Ways of Vermont remains deeply committed to providing high-quality, free and accessible services to every Vermonter in need of connection to health and human services,” said Alison Lamagna, executive director of United Ways of Vermont.
Vermont 211 connects Vermonters to services and resources for everyday needs and during difficult times. Vermont 211 is a free, confidential service available by phone (dial 211), and text (text your zip code to 898211) 8 a.m.–10 p.m., seven days per week, 365 days per year. Vermont 211’s online resource directory at vermont211.org is available 24/7/365.
