Schenectady’s Poverty Tourists: Are Vermont’s Solutions Just a Photo Op for New York?
Schenectady, New York, is drowning in a 15% surge of chronic homelessness. Mayor Gary McCarthy’s grand solution? Another photo op in Vermont. On Monday, June 8, 2026, McCarthy and his delegation concluded yet another “follow-up visit” to Burlington. They acted as if our small state holds some mystical key to their urban woes. Let’s be clear: this isn’t genuine collaboration. It’s a desperate mayor on a taxpayer-funded field trip, masquerading as due diligence. Are we, the people of Vermont, merely a state-sized whiteboard for other cities to scribble their problems on, hoping for a miracle they refuse to fund themselves?Vermont’s “Model”: Expensive and Untransferable?
Schenectady’s leadership, led by Mayor McCarthy, practically gushed over Vermont’s “Housing First” and emergency programs during their latest pilgrimage. They met with our seasoned state housing officials and dedicated local service providers. No doubt they were nodding vigorously, “impressed” by our “seamless support system.” And why wouldn’t they be? They’re not here for nuance. They’re here for a magic bullet, a convenient, easy answer to what is, by all accounts, a complex, self-inflicted problem festering in their own backyard. But let’s cut through the pleasantries: Vermont’s hard-won success, however modest in the grand scheme, comes at a financial cost. Few larger cities, especially those facing their own budget crunch, are willing or able to stomach it. We consistently rank among the highest states in per capita spending on homelessness services – a fact not hidden in some obscure ledger, but proudly declared. Our entire state population of roughly 647,000 means our “crisis” scale is fundamentally different, almost incomparable, to that of a city like Schenectady. Do they honestly believe they can simply wave a wand, parrot our talking points, and miraculously conjure Vermont’s deep level of state-level funding and unparalleled coordination? This is impossible without the political will or the wallet to back it up.“Vermont has demonstrated a commitment and an effectiveness that we believe holds valuable lessons for Schenectady,” Mayor Gary McCarthy told NEWS10 ABC. “Our recent visit was about moving beyond observation to understanding the mechanics of their success.”“Understanding the mechanics” sounds like corporate speak for “we need a handout.”
The Motel Voucher Mirage and Local Realities
Our much-celebrated “motel voucher” program, a lifeline during the darkest days of COVID-19, undeniably housed thousands. It was effective, demonstrating rapid response. Yet, it also glaringly exposed our gaping, unaddressed chasm of affordable housing, a wound that continues to bleed. That emergency program has now been drastically scaled back, leaving countless vulnerable Vermonters in the lurch – a crucial, inconvenient truth Schenectady’s leaders conveniently ignore. They see only a gleaming snapshot of past success, not the ongoing, long-term, arduous struggle we face daily to keep people housed. So, what are they really looking for? A magic bullet? A quick fix? Perhaps a convenient blueprint that doesn’t demand the political courage, the sustained financial commitment, or the collective will that Vermont actually mobilizes? Meanwhile, their own Schenectady task force isn’t even due until “late summer” for an “initial report.” That’s not urgency; that’s a masterclass in kicking the can down the road, hoping the problem disappears with enough bureaucratic hot air. A Vermont Housing Official, predictably unnamed, offered the usual pleasantries:“We are always happy to share our experiences and the lessons we’ve learned over the years. Addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach, and the core principle of providing stable housing first has proven incredibly impactful here.”Impactful, yes. Replicable on a shoestring budget in a different political climate? Don’t hold your breath.
RED MARKER VERDICT
Let’s strip away the pleasantries and the PR spin for the final verdict: Schenectady’s pilgrimage to Vermont isn’t about genuinely solving homelessness. It’s about buying precious time and crafting the illusion of productivity. Mayor McCarthy, facing a damning 15% surge in chronic homelessness, desperately needs to show *something* to his frustrated constituents. This “interstate collaboration” provides nothing more than excellent optics, a convenient smokescreen. They’ll undoubtedly cherry-pick a few palatable “principles,” talk big about forming “task forces,” and then, predictably, balk at the actual, substantial financial outlay required to make any real dent. Vermont’s model works *here* because of a unique, deeply ingrained blend of unwavering state commitment, our manageable smaller scale, and a willingness to commit high per capita spending. Schenectady isn’t just “not ready” to pay that price; they’re actively avoiding it. They don’t want solutions; they just want the credit for *looking* like they’re trying.Photo: Wikimedia Commons (query: Gary McCarthy)
Source: Google News
