What: use of the City Hall basement as a shelter for people experiencing homelessness, first temporarily and then possibly year-round.
Where it stands: on 2026-04-29 the Council unanimously (5-0) authorized the City Manager to develop an MOU with Capstone for temporary use of the basement on May 8, 9 and 10, and directed her to prepare an initial assessment of year-round use.
Next: on 2026-05-13 the City Manager said she was preparing an analysis on using City Hall more extensively for sheltering. Part of the wider Homelessness Response.
Details
Item 2026-182. Beth Ann Maier, a deacon at Christ Episcopal Church, spoke for the Montpelier Emergency Cold Weather Shelter, which sheltered people at the Unitarian Church and in the City Hall basement during the winter. She said an emergency shelter is likely needed in warmer months too, and asked for the basement on May 8, 9 and 10.
Motion: Councilor Cary Brown moved to authorize the City Manager to develop and enter into an MOU with Capstone for use of the City Hall basement as a temporary shelter on May 8, 9 and 10. Councilor Sal Alfano seconded. Carried unanimously (5-0).
After discussion the Council directed the City Manager to prepare an initial assessment of year-round use of the basement as a shelter.
2026-05-13 (item 2026-200): City Manager Kury said she was working on an analysis of using City Hall more extensively for sheltering.