About 20 Attend Newport Rally and Forum Highlighting 257 Homeless

About two dozen people walked Main Street in Newport and gathered at the Emory Hebard State Office Building to press for more shelter, services and safety for people experiencing homelessness in the Northeast Kingdom. The rally and forum, organized as part of statewide awareness activity by the Homeless and Housing Alliance of Vermont and local partners, brought together service providers, state employees and people with lived experience to discuss gaps in support.

Participants assembled outside the Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) building on Main Street on a chilly Thursday, carried signs and made a short march through downtown before returning to the Emory Hebard building for a panel and open forum. Chris Mitchell, a field director for the Vermont Agency of Human Services and co-chair of the local housing coalition, gave a brief presentation during the forum and reported a recent count of 257 individuals experiencing homelessness across the Northeast Kingdom. Mitchell did not provide a date or methodology for that count at the event.

Organizers had hoped for a modest turnout and were encouraged by the crowd. "I was happy that I wasn't out there walking alone. We didn't really have high expectations. I think we were hoping for at least ten people, and we doubled that today. I think we had 20 or 25 folks. I'm very pleased with the turnout," Mitchell said.

The public portion of the forum featured personal testimony. Alana Webb, who has been homeless for two and a half years, spoke in tears about the human toll and the need for compassion. "It's not easy being out there, especially this time of year," Webb said. "It's not fair for children to be out there, the elderly, or anybody who has a disability." She added, "It's appreciated to have all of you here to make an awareness for homeless people. There are people who think we choose to live like this. We don't." Another attendee, Casey O'Brien, also spoke firsthand about what it means to be homeless.

NEKCA staff were cited for providing immediate aid to people at the rally. Gina Putvain of NEKCA reported that the agency helped Webb and others get propane while they live in separate dwellings near one another. Organizers noted that in prior years HHAV placed colored flags outside NEKCA buildings to symbolize adults and children who were unhoused; this year they chose an active community event format to engage residents directly.

The turnout and testimony emphasized safety and basic needs as immediate priorities for local planning and state support. For Newport City residents and officials, the event highlights pressure on local services and the need for clearer regional data and a coordinated response. Expect follow-up from advocates and state agencies as they refine counts, request resources and outline steps to expand shelter, heating assistance and targeted supports for children, the elderly and people with disabilities.