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New Youth Shelter Opens in Franklin County to Support Young People Facing Homelessness 

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St. Albans, VT – Spectrum Youth and Family Services is proud to announce the official opening of its new youth shelter located at 135 Lake Street in St. Albans. This eight-bed shelter, with capacity for two additional beds during the winter months, will serve young people ages 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Franklin County. 

Open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 24 hours a day on weekends, the shelter provides a safe, warm place to sleep, a full kitchen, access to hot showers and laundry facilities, and supportive staff trained in youth development and trauma-informed care. 

“This shelter is more than just a bed — it’s about meeting young people where they are, offering dignity and safety, and helping them take the next step toward stability,” said Mark Redmond, Executive Director of Spectrum. “We’re so grateful to the St. Albans community, the Vermont House Human Services Committee, and our generous donors for making this long-needed service a reality.” 

The shelter is located just two blocks from Spectrum’s Drop-In Center, allowing youth to access meals, case management, counseling referrals, and basic needs support on weekdays. Together, these services aim to provide a stable foundation for youth to build independence and thrive. 

The project is a collaboration with Champlain Housing Trust, which purchased and renovated the building with funds from the Department of Children and Families in partnership with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. 

“New shelters, like this one, are unfortunately needed more than we’ve ever seen before,” said Michael Monte, CEO of Champlain Housing Trust. “We are thankful to Spectrum for stepping in to fill this critical gap of services and shelter, and to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for funding it. But we also look forward to the day when there’s enough affordable housing to meet Vermonter’s needs.”

“This shelter is a strong example of what it means to invest in both people and community,” added Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. “We’re grateful to be part of a project that offers young Vermonters a safe place to land and a pathway forward.” 

Daily operating costs are funded by the Department of Children and Families and countless individual donors, including an anonymous $1 million gift and a multi-year commitment from the Hoehl Family Foundation. 

“We are so happy this program has opened to help fill the need in this community,” said Stefanie Comstock, Director of Basic Needs Programs, St Albans. “We are ready to support the youth in need of a safe place to sleep and help them get on their feet as they gain skills towards independence.” 

To learn more about the shelter or to refer a young person, visit www.spectrumvt.org or call (802) 777-7882. 

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About Spectrum Youth & Family Services 

Located in Burlington and St. Albans, Vermont, Spectrum Youth & Family Services helps teens and young adults ages 14-24 meet their basic needs, access mental health counseling and substance use disorder services, and get help with employment, education, and living independently to thrive as young adults. Learn more at www.spectrumvt.org

About Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) 

Champlain Housing Trust serves northwestern Vermont with a variety of housing and community development programs. Under CHT’s stewardship are nearly 700 permanently affordable homes and condos, about 2,800 permanently affordable apartments, over 200 shelter beds, and over 200,000 square feet in commercial and nonprofit facilities. CHT also runs a variety of financial literacy and lending programs. More information can be found at www.getahome.org

About the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB)

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board invests in the creation of permanently affordable housing and the conservation of agricultural and recreational land, forestland, and historic properties. Since 1987, VHCB has supported projects that strengthen communities, protect Vermont’s working landscape, and promote equity, resilience, and quality of life statewide. Learn more at www.vhcb.org

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