Good Samaritan Haven is proud to announce that on Monday, September 15, we officially closed on the purchase of the Turret House shelter, a new year-round emergency shelter located in Montpelier, Vermont that will provide safe, stable, and supportive space for adults experiencing homelessness.
About Turret House
Turret House will be the fourth year-round shelter in Good Samaritan Haven’s central Vermont network. It will operate 24/7, year-round, and serve up to 18 adults (ages 18 to 80+) who are experiencing homelessness and are able to care for themselves independently. Many of the individuals who previously relied on Good Sam’s seasonal winter shelter will now have access to consistent, year-round support in a safe and stable environment.
Guests will also have access to case management services, housing navigation, benefits support, recovery and wellness programming, and skill-building opportunities designed to help them move toward permanent housing and long-term stability.
Commitment to Community
Good Samaritan Haven is committed to maintaining strong relationships with neighbors, businesses, and city officials. Outreach to local community members will begin following the purchase. Turret House will operate with clear guest expectations, a comprehensive safety plan, and open lines of communication with the surrounding community.
A Shared Vision
“This project represents what is possible when our community comes together around a shared vision,” said Good Sam Executive Director Julie Bond. “With the support of our state and local partners, we are creating a safe, welcoming space where people can find stability and take their next steps toward housing.” We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this milestone possible.”
This milestone has been made possible through investments from the State of Vermont’s Office of Economic Opportunity, generous private donors, and the partnership of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and Evernorth. Their support is allowing us to transform this property into a lasting resource that strengthens our community’s safety net. Renovations are scheduled to begin in October.
This project reflects the shared values of the Montpelier community and the State of Vermont: to create a place where every individual—regardless of economic circumstance—is welcomed and supported. Good Sam extends their gratitude to Montpelier City staff and local contractors for their time, energy, expertise, and support. Together, we are ensuring that some of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors will have a safe place to rest, heal, and rebuild their lives.
FAQs
Turret House Shelter – Frequently Asked Questions
Who will Good Sam’s Turret House shelter on Barre Street in Montpelier serve, and how many people can it accommodate?
The Turret House shelter, as we intend to name it, will operate 24/7, year-round, serving up to 18 adults (18 to 80+) who are experiencing homelessness and are able to care for themselves independently. Individuals with needs greater than we can safely provide care cannot be accommodated.
This permanent shelter will welcome many of the individuals who have previously relied on our winter overflow shelter, now offering consistent, year-round support instead of seasonal services. Our goal is to provide a safe, stable environment for anyone who is willing and able to meet the shelter’s community agreements and safety expectations.
Good Sam’s community workers and outreach team will continue working closely with people currently experiencing homelessness to support their successful transition into this new program at Turret House.
Who Can Stay at the Shelter?
Good Samaritan Haven provides emergency shelter for adults in our community who have nowhere else to stay. To make sure we can safely and effectively support each person, we meet with someone to determine if a shelter environment is a good match for them.
Basic guidelines to use the shelter:
- Homelessness: Guests must meet HUD’s definition of literal homelessness, meaning they are staying in places not meant for human habitation or have no safe housing options.
- Adults only: We serve individuals age 18 and older.
- Safety standards: People currently listed on the Vermont Sex Offender Registry cannot stay in our shelters.
- Self-care: Guests must be able to manage basic personal care needs (bathing, dressing, eating).
- Substance use: We take a harm reduction approach—supporting people who may be struggling with substance use while keeping safety a top priority for all guests, staff, and the community. Each night, guests must be below the legal alcohol limit to enter the shelter.
We understand that many people have experienced justice involvement or substance use challenges. These factors do not automatically prevent someone from staying with us—we review each case individually with safety as our primary concern.
How does the shelter handle safety and substance use?
Some people experiencing homelessness live with substance use disorder (SUD), often as a response to trauma or untreated mental health challenges. We take a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach, meaning:
- Illegal drugs and alcohol are not permitted on shelter property.
- Staff use nonjudgmental, supportive methods to help guests reduce harm and take steps toward recovery.
- Case management includes referrals to treatment programs and ongoing advocacy for recovery supports.
Will there be programs or activities for guests during the day?
Yes. In addition to providing a safe place to eat, rest and carry out daily activities of life, guests have access to case management services, including:
- Coordinated entry and benefit referrals
- Housing applications and navigation
- Goal development (recovery, mental health, job skills)
- Skill-building and progress monitoring
- Wellness and Recovery/Cessation programming
These services are designed to help guests move toward permanent housing and long-term stability.
How will you address concerns about loitering or impacts to nearby businesses and public spaces?
We understand these concerns and share the goal of maintaining a welcoming, safe neighborhood for everyone.
- The shelter will operate with a guest community agreement, safety plan, and clear policies designed to support positive neighbor relations.
- Staff will communicate city policies and neighborly concerns to shelter guests while respecting public space rights.
- Our street outreach team will continue engaging with people living outdoors, connecting them to services and helping reduce challenges in public areas.
- At the shelter itself, guests will have a designated outdoor area at the rear of the building where they can spend time and socialize. This space will be monitored by staff, who will help redirect behaviors as needed to support a healthy community environment.
- Shelter staff will maintain open lines of communication with neighbors and city officials, collaborating to address issues promptly and foster a safe, respectful neighborhood.
Does Good Samaritan Haven have a street outreach team?
Yes. Our outreach staff engage people living outside, offering supplies, support, and service connections. If you meet someone who would benefit from connecting with our street outreach team, please refer them to Osa at (802) 613-4494.
Can someone return to the shelter after leaving?
Often, yes. We take a restorative approach whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Guests who leave or are exited can appeal the decision and work with staff to return.
- With a network of three additional shelters, we can transfer guests to another site if it better supports their success.
What happens if someone cannot stay at the shelter?
If someone must exit, staff remain committed to their well-being. We work to:
- Connect them to another shelter or safe housing option
- Offer continued outreach support
- Provide referrals for health and recovery services
Will Good Samaritan Haven collaborate with community stakeholders?
We are committed to a thoughtful, community-oriented process. As the project moves forward, we will:
- Launch community engagement efforts to hear and respond to neighbor input
- Participate in regular coordination with city officials and service providers
- Ensure the shelter serves as a valued, responsive resource for the Montpelier community
- Meet the values expressed in the city of Montpelier’s strategic plans that aspire to ensure Montpelier is a welcoming place for people with all kinds of economic means.