Concerns over the heat grow for houseless Vermonters as more are forced to live outside this summer

Hundreds of Vermonters will be living outside this summer, and dozens more may now join them after they’ve been phased out of the state’s pandemic “hotel-motel” program. On Thursday, hundreds became ineligible for the general assistance housing program, which expanded its requirements during the pandemic. Many people who didn’t have a place to stay had to resort to camping. “We’re going to be camping together,” said Hannah Wells as she, her husband and a friend moved out of the Motel 6 in Colchester on Thursday. “It’s going to be my first-year camping. Granted, I’ve camped before but it’s never been long-term.”Many people have already been living outside in the hot summer heat. James Jeffries sets up a spot on Church Street near City Hall Park. He now uses a mattress he found a couple of days ago, but most of the time, he lets other people take a turn sleeping on the comfortable surface. “Mostly other people have slept on it more than I have,” Jeffries said. “The majority of people who are out here have some sort of disability.”With the number of people sleeping outside seems to only be increasing, there are concerns about heat safety. The Vermont Department of Health said it will be important for anyone sleeping outside to focus on hydration and getting themselves in the shade or a cool place as often as possible. They suggest anyone getting help from a community resource to ask about bug spray and supplies to help deal with ticks. They also want people to be aware of signs that may be heat exhaustion. “Are you heavily sweating?” said Jared Ulmer, health program coordinator with VDH. “If you start to feel a little bit lightheaded or dizzy or a headache coming on, those are kind of warning signs.”An interactive map of cooling sites open to the public across the state can be found on the VDH website.