Brave Little State artwork

What if Vermont were to buy motels for emergency housing?

Brave Little State

English - September 07, 2023 17:18 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MB - ★★★★★ - 339 ratings
Places & Travel Society & Culture vermont news public media public radio investigative reporting Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed


During the pandemic, Daniel Luttrel heard a lot about how Vermont was renting rooms at hotels and motels to shelter people. And he heard that the state was using a lot of money to do it. So, he asked: “Can’t we just buy them?”


Reporter Liam Elder-Connors digs into Vermont’s motel housing program, and learns that Daniel’s question has been asked by everyone from housing advocates to those in charge of the motel program itself. He also meets current and former motel residents to get a better sense of the impact this program has had on one of Vermont’s most vulnerable populations.


Find the web version of this story here.


Liam Elder-Connors reported this episode, and it was produced by Josh Crane and Sabine Poux. Additional support from Sophie Stephens. Angela Evancie is Brave Little State’s executive producer. Our theme music is by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions.


As always, our journalism is better when you’re a part of it:


Ask a question about VermontVote on the question you want us to tackle nextSign up for the BLS newsletterSay hi on Instagram and Reddit @bravestatevtDrop us an email: [email protected]Call our BLS hotline: 802-552-4880Make a gift to support people-powered journalismLeave us a rating/review in your favorite podcast appTell your friends about the show!


Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.