Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless offers emergency shelter services for homeless adults over the age of 18 at our 966 Main Street Shelter, known as “966 Main”.
“The Big Blue House” shelter is a 16 bed coed facilitated that operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reflective of our commitment to serving with dignity and respect, this shelter is operated on a rolling admissions philosophy; once a guest is accepted into the 966 Main program, their bed is secured each day while the guest works towards permanent housing. A housing case manager and support staff are also provided to each guest to assist in the development of a plan toward self-sufficiency and sustainability.
966 Main also serves as a drop-in center for homeless individuals to gain access to case management services, clothing, food, bedding, personal care items, and bathroom/showers.
Please call ahead @ 802-442-2424 whenever possible for drop-in services to ensure staff availability so that we may best serve and support each individual.
300 Pleasant Street, Bennington VT | 802-681-8062
Norton House Family Shelter
Emergency shelter is offered to families with children under the age of 18, known as Norton House Family Shelter program. This location offers a 9-unit facility that serves families and their children, providing individual living quarters.
Upon access to Norton House, guests are provided a housing case manager to assist in the development of a plan toward self-sufficiency and sustainability. Reflective of our commitment to serving with dignity and respect, this shelter is operated on a rolling admissions philosophy; once a guest and their family is accepted into the Norton House program, their individual living quarters are secured each day while the guest works towards permanent housing.
Norton House Family Shelter typically maintains a waiting list. Please call us to schedule an intake and to confirm your waitlist spot @ (802) 681-8062.
300 Pleasant Street, Bennington VT | 802-442-0843
Community Outreach Programming
The outreach program for individuals and families experiencing homelessness is designed to provide compassionate, person-centered support to those living unsheltered or at-risk of homelessness. The team aims to build trusting relationships through consistent engagement, offering critical resources such as food and hygiene supplies, referrals to our shelter locations, or other longer term options. Outreach staff serve as advocates, helping clients navigate complex systems such as healthcare, mental health services, substance use treatments, and employment programs.
Upon an exit from either of our shelter locations, back into unsheltered homelessness, an outreach staff is able to assist clients through that process and follow them through their next steps in regaining shelter, access to permanent supports, and mainstream waitlists.
Upon addition to the Norton Family Shelter waitlist, families have access to an outreach staff, while they wait for shelter to become available, or another more suitable service provider becomes available to case manage.
At-risk of losing your housing due to unforeseen circumstances, an outreach staff may be able to work with you to assist in the processes community wide to ensure you recieve access to state funding, legal aid, or other community resources alike, to help you obtain your current housing.
Unsheltered or at-risk of losing your h0using, please call to schedule an intake @ (802)442-0843.
