Rep. Wood: ‘Our community deserves answers’ on shelter proposal

February 9, 2024

To the Community: 

As most people know by now, over the last couple of weeks the town of Waterbury, including your state representatives, were made aware of a proposed shelter for people experiencing homelessness at the site of the former armory building. We did not have any advance warning of this proposal.

I also want to say that I'm proud to be a lifelong resident and member of this community; a community that has shown over and over again its compassion for others in their time of need. I was proud of our community at the public meeting and in the civil conversations that have happened in the grocery stores, restaurants and online in the last several days. People have been able to raise their concerns about what is simply a not very well-thought-through “plan” in a respectful way. 

Yes, there are fears and anxiety over the unknowns.

I want to share with you that I have written to the Department for Children and Families seeking answers to the questions that have been raised by the community, including: accessibility (especially during flooding); transportation; how will referrals occur; what types of supportive services are necessary and how will people access them; what is the precise staffing plan and who will the state be contracting with; safety for the people at the shelter and people in the community; condition of the road and traffic issues; what is the plan after July 1; should the money being used for “renovations” go towards permanent, affordable housing, and what is the long-term plan for the property.

Our community deserves answers to these questions so that we can do our best to help the individuals experiencing homelessness and continue to be the welcoming community that we have always been.

Rep. Theresa Wood

Waterbury 

State Rep. Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury, represents the Washington-Chittenden district in the Vermont House covering Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington and Buel’s Gore. She chairs the House Committee on Human Services.