Vermont Tenant Representation Program Will End in October
State funding for the eviction defense pilot project concludes on October 31, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Apartments
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The Tenant Representation Pilot Project, which provided legal aid to renters facing eviction, will cease operations on October 31, 2026. Lawmakers opted not to include further funding for the program in the state budget.
Why it matters
The program provided vital legal assistance to tenants in four counties, as Vermont currently does not guarantee the right to an attorney in civil court proceedings. Without this dedicated funding, access to eviction defense will be significantly limited.
The program received $1 million in state funding during the 2024 legislative session to operate in Lamoille, Windsor, Rutland, and Windham counties. Legal Aid successfully resolved 207 cases through August 2026.
The players
Vermont Legal Aid
This organization manages the pilot project and provides legal representation to low-income Vermonters in civil matters.
Steve Koren
A tenant who received assistance through the pilot program that resulted in the dismissal of his eviction case.
The details
Operating since November 2024, the program assisted tenants by sending service letters and coordinating with local sheriff departments to distribute information during eviction paperwork delivery. Residents like Steve Koren, whose eviction case was dismissed in July 2026 despite owing $200 in rent, utilized these resources to stay in their homes.
Timeline
November 2024: The Tenant Representation Pilot Project began.
January 2026: Steve Koren moved into his apartment.
July 2026: Steve Koren's eviction case was dismissed.
August 2026: The data period for program case resolutions ended.
October 31, 2026: The program grant concludes.
Culture Shift
The pilot program served as a temporary bridge to address the lack of a right to an attorney in Vermont civil court cases. Its closure marks a return to a landscape where tenants must navigate complex housing litigation without guaranteed legal support.
Renters in Lamoille, Windsor, Rutland, and Windham counties will no longer have access to the same level of legal support once the program ends. Tenants facing eviction will need to seek limited-basis assistance from Legal Aid starting in November.
The takeaway
Tenants should proactively reach out to legal service providers immediately if they receive an eviction notice. While the pilot program ends, understanding your rights as a renter remains the best defense against unlawful displacement.
Further reading
Learn more about the housing landscape in Vermont.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valley News.
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