A winter homeless shelter that offers 20 beds at a church in Vermont's capital city is being funded for a second year.
Officials say the pilot project at the Bethany Church in Montpelier was a successful start to the expansion of services by The Good Samaritan Haven in Barre.
The Barre shelter offers 30 beds at its Seminary Street location and an overflow shelter with 14 beds at the Barre's Hedding United Methodist Church.
The Times Argus reports the Legislature appropriated $330,000 for continued services at Bethany Church and other shelters as a more effective way to deal with homelessness during the winter than by paying hotel vouchers.
Advocates say shelters are better able to connect the homeless with services that could lead to more permanent housing.
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