Best Housing & Financial in Vermont — 15 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Vermont

Vermont's Family Division of the Superior Court handles all family matters statewide. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DCF. Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, and Essex are the largest towns. Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Vermont, and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide civil legal aid and a statewide Family Law helpline for women.

15 Resources

1. Vermont Housing Finance Agency — Free

VHFA at 164 St Paul St in Burlington administers the Vermont down-payment assistance loan, MOVE first-time-buyer mortgage, and rental subsidy administration for women buying or renting in Vermont. Free homebuyer education classes offered statewide. 802-652-3400 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

802-652-3400 · 164 St Paul St, Burlington, VT 05401 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Vermont DCF — Economic Services (Reach Up) — Free

Reach Up is Vermont's TANF program providing monthly cash assistance, employment services, and emergency housing help to single mothers and pregnant women under specific income limits. Apply at any DCF district office or by calling 800-479-6151 Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm.

800-479-6151 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Habitat for Humanity of Vermont — Free

Habitat Vermont (based in Burlington) builds and rehabilitates affordable homes sold at zero-interest to qualifying women and families who contribute sweat-equity hours. Application windows open by region. 802-872-8726 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

802-872-8726 · Burlington, VT · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Burlington Housing Authority — Free

BHA at 65 Main St in Burlington manages public housing units and HCV (Section 8) vouchers for low-income Burlington residents. Their waitlist opens periodically — call 802-864-0538 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm to check the next opening. Priority categories include survivors of domestic violence.

802-864-0538 · 65 Main St, Burlington, VT 05401 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter) — Burlington — Free

COTS at 95 North Ave in Burlington runs emergency family shelter (Main Street Family Shelter), single-women's shelter (Daystation), and outreach to unsheltered women. 24/7 intake; call 802-864-7402 to ask about current availability before arriving.

802-864-7402 · 95 North Ave, Burlington, VT 05401 · 24/7 · Visit Website

6. Capstone Community Action — Housing — Free

Capstone at 20 Gable Pl in Barre is central Vermont's CAP agency administering LIHEAP fuel assistance, weatherization, the Crisis Fuel Program, and homelessness prevention rent grants. Call 802-479-1053 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

802-479-1053 · 20 Gable Pl, Barre, VT 05641 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Champlain Housing Trust — Free

Champlain Housing Trust at 88 King St in Burlington owns shared-equity homes, perpetually-affordable rentals, and the SASH aging-in-place program across northwestern Vermont. Application portal at getahome.org; call 802-862-6244 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

802-862-6244 · 88 King St, Burlington, VT 05401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD.gov locates Vermont's HUD field office in Manchester NH (which covers VT) and lists every Section 8 administrator and Continuum-of-Care lead in the state. Useful when filing a fair-housing complaint or asking about HUD-funded programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's Continuum of Care page lists Vermont's two CoCs (Chittenden County and the Vermont Balance of State) and the lead agencies coordinating shelter placement statewide.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

LIHEAP funds Vermont's seasonal fuel assistance administered through Economic Services Division — heating help, emergency crisis fuel, and weatherization. Apply through any Capstone/CVOEO district office between November and May.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

The Salvation Army in Burlington and Rutland provides emergency rent and utility help, food pantries, and a backpack program for school kids — single-mom-friendly programs available year-round.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Burlington provides emergency assistance, immigrant services, and counseling to Vermont families regardless of religion. Donations of clothing and household goods accepted at multiple intake sites.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. United Way Worldwide — Free

United Way of Northwest Vermont and other Vermont local United Ways fund 211, family-supports grants, and basic-needs programs targeted at single mothers and immigrant families.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat.org locates Habitat affiliates across the US; Vermont's Habitat Vermont covers the whole state with build sites coordinated regionally. The Habitat ReStore in Williston funds local builds.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise of Champlain Valley shelters homeless families with children through host congregations in greater Burlington — an option when COTS is full and a single mom needs immediate shelter with her kids together.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Vermont?
Women's Corner tracks 15 housing & financial resources for women in Vermont.
Are housing & financial resources in Vermont free?
15 of the 15 listed housing & financial resources in Vermont are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Vermont have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Burlington, Barre.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Vermont?
Featured entries include Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont DCF — Economic Services (Reach Up), Habitat for Humanity of Vermont, Burlington Housing Authority, COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter) — Burlington.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
7 of 15 Vermont housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.