If you are a Vermonter without a home

*Due to limited resources and a continued lack of shelter beds, COTS requires that people in need of shelter are currently in the area and seeking housing in Chittenden County. We first prioritize the needs of those in our county, then state, and lastly those from out of this area. If you are planning on relocating to VT we urge you to please call the COTS shelter first and discuss your situation (see below).

If you are a family:

Come to the COTS office at 95 North Ave., Burlington, for an in-take meeting with a family case manager. Meetings are held at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday on a first-come, first-served basis. COTS case managers can meet with only one family a day.

If it is after 5 p.m. or on a weekend and you have absolutely no other alternative, call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Vermont or call the Main Street Family Shelter at 864-2651.

If you are an individual adult at least 18 years old:

Come to the COTS Daystation (located at the rear of 179 S. Winooski Ave.; enter from King Street) for an in-take meeting with one of our individual case managers. Meetings are held Monday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and Friday at 2 p.m. On weekends, come to the Daystation and ask to speak with a staff member.

If it is after 5 p.m. and you have absolutely no other options, call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Vermont or stop by the COTS Waystation at 187 Church Street in Burlington (phone: 862-7776).

If you are an individual younger than 21:

Contact Spectrum Youth and Family Services at 864-7423 on weekdays during business hours, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . At other hours, call the crisis hotline at 488-6400.