65 Main Street
Burlington, VT
05401

Tel: 802-864-0538
Fax: 802-658-1286
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday,
8:30-4:00

Contact Us

Equal Housing Opportunity logo graphic

BHA is committed to equal housing opportunity and will consider reasonable accommodations upon request.

Burlington Housing Authority Housing Retention Services

In partnership with the Agency of Human Services Field Services, the Burlington Housing Authority offers a housing retention program. The service is free and voluntary.

Mission:

The key to ending homelessness is to prevent it from happening. Through strength based goal setting, intensive home visits and access to community and state assistance programs the Burlington Housing Authority assists both housing providers and tenants. We want to intervene BEFORE a tenant is facing eviction and BEFORE the situation becomes a crisis.

  • Preserve housing
  • Help low income renters achieve housing stability and better lives
  • Coordinate resources
  • Offer support to encourage long term, mutually beneficial solutions for both housing providers and tenants such as negotiating repayment agreements for damage fees
  • Connect and refer to appropriate service providers for long term support and assistance such as: community mental health, job training, in home parenting programs
  • Increase housing options for at risk or homeless
  • Stabilize basic needs such as food, shelter and medical care
  • Develop plans to assist with basic living skills such as housekeeping and budgeting
  • Access back rent, deposit assistance and intensive apartment search

Hoarding Task Force Information

The Hoarding Task-Force started its work in the Spring of 2009. The task force provides trainings and case consultations.

  • Articles on hoarding link to PDF articles
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Self Assessment Tools
  • Squalor index and rating scale
  • Helpful strategies for in-home providers
  • Information on Motivational Interviewing and stages of change
  • Clutter image rating scale
  • Objective House-keeping inspection assessment
  • Fire and Safety Codes
  • Sample Enforcement letter

Often, the referrals made to the BHA housing retention program are complex. Many participants have multiple issues that need resolution.

What distinguishes the BHA Retention program from other services is the close working dynamic and access to resources that result in long term, permanent solutions to preserve housing.

The following are some examples of cases that were referred to the service coordinator/retention specialist who was able to work with the client and achieve successful outcomes.

Problem: A single mother with 3 children on state’s assistance had failed her yearly inspection due to housekeeping issues which caused damage to the unit. Her income was sanctioned due to a no-show at a child support hearing.

Problem: Young couple struggling to find work as they transition from state assistance to employment. They are behind on their rent, their gas has been disconnected because of an unpaid back bill, and they have a shut off notice for their electric.

Solutions: Check to make sure tenant has reported income change to BHA so rent portion can be adjusted to reflect their change of income. Make sure tenant has applied for seasonal fuel assistance. Help family access emergency assistance through community agencies for back utility bill. Discuss option of vendoring rent and utility payments from welfare grant until family has attended a class or received assistance with budgeting. Set up budget plan with utility companies so family is consistently paying some amount every month regardless of usage.

The BHA retention program has been extremely helpful in assisting me with very challenging situations with some of my tenants. Nicole is responsive, creative and accessible ~LL

The BHA retention program helped me figure out a lot of stuff that was overwhelming to me. With Nicole’s help, I was able to access benefits and resources that I did not even know I was eligible for. It really made a difference to me and my family in keeping our apartment and not becoming homeless~Tenant

Access to the information from the Hoarding Task Force is tremendously helpful. I find it to be an excellent resource for some of my clients~Service Provider

To learn more about the program contact Jane Helmstetter, 651-1684 or jane.helmstetter@ahs.state.vt.us.

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Photographs: Linda Farnsworth