A Letter from our Executive Director

I want to tell you about a story that’s been on my mind lately.

Six years ago, Shelley was experiencing homelessness—suddenly single, unemployed, and caring for two small children. With the help of a case manager, she moved into a one-bedroom Downstreet apartment with a Section 8 voucher. That apartment gave her what every family deserves: stability. Her kids started school, she found a job, and eventually she no longer needed the subsidy. She moved into another Downstreet apartment that was affordable but not subsidized, and just this year, she bought her own home.

But that’s not the end of the story.

This past August, two 18-year-olds expecting their first baby had nowhere to go. It was Shelley, now working in street outreach, who helped them find their way to services, coordinated entry, and ultimately a Downstreet apartment with a Section 8 voucher of their own.

Every success looks different, but this is what it means when the system works—when housing creates stability, and stability creates opportunity.

In 2025, Downstreet had 69 new homes under construction across four communities, and we plan to break ground on 78 more next year. Each home represents health, security, and a chance to begin again.

Vermonters have always taken care of one another. When we invest in housing, we invest in our collective strength and in futures like Shelley’s.

You make these stories possible. Please make a gift to Downstreet today, and together we can help more families find their footing—and maybe even come full circle.

Warmly,

Angie Harbin
Executive Director