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Northern Lights House Faces Doubts
In Burlington, a proposal to establish a transitional home for nonviolent women offenders, generates debate Story by Jessica Bellack Photos by Michelle Besaw On 76-78 Cherry Street, in Burlington, Vermont sits a vacant house, one that's been abandoned for ten years. The house is historic, but desolate. While this house remains empty, 244 people were found to be homeless in Burlington in 2004, according to Burlington's Community and Economic Development Office. While these people are looking for shelter while on the streets, twelve to fourteen nonviolent women await their release from jail—not because their sentence is unfulfilled, but because they can't find housing, a requirement that must be satisfied before they are released.
A proposal to establish the Northern Lights house, a transitional home for nonviolent women being released from prison, attempts to mend this housing issue, along with providing a supportive residential living environment under correctional supervision. But, the project does not proceed without opposition. The building's location, on Cherry Street, is in the midst of a heavily trafficked consumer area and some worry the house may affect local businesses. Others also believe efforts and aid should be focused on homeless families rather than former female offenders. “It's a very exposed area.” According to the Vermont Housing Awareness Campaign, in 2004 the median purchase price of a home in Vermont was $165,000, a jump of nearly 67 percent from 1996. Since the amount of affordable housing in Burlington has declined and prices are increasing, both homeless families and released offenders are experiencing tribulations. According to Tiffany Bluemle, executive director of Northern New England Tradeswomen, housing is listed as a top challenge for people exiting prison, since they cannot leave until they find a place to stay. She explains that they often cannot stay with relatives or friends, since they have either burned their bridges with them, or because they are part of the problem that may have landed them in jail. Northern New England Tradeswomen is one of four core planning consortium members, and is among the other eight groups that have come together with the Department of Corrections to address transitional housing needs for nonviolent women offenders. The groups include core members that will assist in programs that will be implemented in the Northern Lights house. This includes the Vermont Children's Aid Society, which will assist the women in reuniting or building relationships with their children. The Northern Lights house, which could accommodate as many as ten newly released women from the state's correctional system, is planning to provide more than a roof over their heads. It would also provide support services, such as drug and alcohol treatment, mental health counseling, and employment training. Each resident will be paired with a mentor and share the same parole officer. Bluemle says this will add consistency to the women's program and will only require one contact point. The consortium awaits legislative approval in May, which will reveal if they can begin house renovations. If passed, they will begin construction in the summer or early fall and hope to open as early as the winter. No cost has yet been announced for these renovations. In a Seven Days article, a Burlington newsweekly, it was stated that the Burlington Business Association opposes the project, saying that they “question whether it's appropriate to house newly released inmates in the heart of the downtown business district.” Executive director of the organization, Nancy Wood, says that is not entirely true. “The house lends itself well to hold that many people.” “This is the central business area in Burlington and it's really important that there be public process,” Wood explains. She stresses that their main issue is public process, meaning more public knowledge about the project, open discussions, or actual impact studies on how the house might affect services. One such service she mentions is the police force. She also questions if there will be enough funding to provide proper security, if needed.
“It's a very exposed area,” Wood adds, pointing out that the house is just a few blocks away from liquor stores and bars. She believes that if the project was in a slightly more residential area, the women could still have access to public buses. Bluemle believes the Cherry Street house is an optimum space for the plan. “The house lends itself well to hold that many people,” says Bluemle. She explains the house is not in a residential area and is zoned for multi-use. It incorporates open common areas, a large kitchen, and space to expand for bedrooms in the back. “It's down the street from the bus, the Department of Labor, the courts, and also probation and parole offices.” The Northern Lights house is partially funded by Section 8 vouchers from the federal government's Department of Housing and Urban Development. Bluemle explains that Chittenden County receives 1,700 vouchers, but the house would only use nine. Both Rita Markley, the executive director of the Committee of Temporary Shelter, and Tim Searles, the executive director the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, acknowledge the significant need of homeless families in Burlington. “I don't know the scope of the homeless need, but I know that it's significant. But, it's counterproductive to criticize one project over another," Bluemle says. “There are too many families that need housing, and there are also too many women coming out of corrections-but to pin one group against another is not productive.” What are your views on the Northern Lights House?
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The Former Mayor shows his support... Former Mayor of Burlington, Peter Clavelle, expressed his support for the Northern Lights House and its chosen location, in a Friday letter posted on the city's website. He believes that such support services will help these women become contributing members of society. Clavelle also revealed that the costs of keeping a women in jail, because no suitable housing on the outside is available, is over $40,000 a year and will save the state money in the long run. In his letter he writes, “However, it is not fair to expect the City or community members to raise funding for this project. Our Governor and the Department of Corrections must commit to fully funding the capital and operating costs for the Northern Lights House.”
The Consortium... The
Howard Center for Human Services Mercy
Connections Vermont
Children's Aid Society Northern
New England Tradeswomen The
Lund Family Center Women
Helping Battered Women Burlington
Community Justice Center Burlington
Housing Authority |
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