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Bill

H 197

An act relating to establishing peer support positions for housing stability

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Esme Cole and 3 co-sponsors

Establish a statewide program of peer support workers with lived homelessness experience to help others achieve and maintain housing stability.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 197

Overview

H.197 (2025-2026) from Vermont proposes establishing peer support positions dedicated to housing stability. The bill is introduced by Rep. Jubilee McGill and co-sponsored by Reps. Esme Cole, Eric Maguire, and Theresa Wood. It has been referred to the House Committee on Human Services and, as of the available information, has had its first reading.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a statewide program of peer support positions designed to help individuals with lived experience of homelessness assist others who are unhoused.
  • Focus is on enabling housing stability for individuals who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Key provisions and changes (as introduced)

  • Establishment of peer support roles specifically aimed at housing stability.
  • Peers would bring firsthand experience overcoming homelessness to aid others in securing and maintaining housing.
  • The act is focused on human services and housing/homelessness policy within Vermont.

Note: The full text of the bill (indicated as “TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS”) is not provided here, so detailed provisions, program structure, funding, qualifications for peer specialists, supervision, reimbursement mechanisms, and integration with existing service systems are not specified in the summary.

Who/what would be affected

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability would potentially receive peer support services.
  • State and local agencies involved in housing, homelessness prevention, and social services would implement and oversee the peer support positions.
  • The workforce would include peers with prior lived experience who would perform outreach, navigation, coaching, and supportive services related to housing stability.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Human Services on February 12, 2025.
  • The bill has had committee activity, including a witnessed testimony session in the House Committee on Human Services (noted on April 3, 2025).
  • As a short-form bill, it may be intended to quickly establish the concept or a framework, with detailed programmatic and fiscal provisions to be added in subsequent full-text versions or later amendments.

Additional context

  • Sponsors: Rep. Jubilee McGill (primary), with co-sponsors Reps. Esme Cole, Eric Maguire, and Theresa Wood.
  • The bill aligns with Vermont’s human services and housing priorities by leveraging peer support to improve housing outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness.

If you’d like, I can incorporate any available fiscal estimates, targeted populations, or implementation timelines from the full bill text or subsequent amendments as they become available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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