The number of people who identify as homeless in a Vermont town has fallen since last year and improved Vermont's overall homeless rate.
The Burlington Free Press reports that an annual census shows that homelessness has declined by 11.5 percent in Chittenden County and by 2.3 percent in the state as of Jan. 27.
A total of 1,523 Vermonters identify as homeless.
In 2014 the survey found the county had experienced a 9-percent increase homelessness.
Co-chairwoman of the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance Margaret Bozik says a contributing factor is the high cost and low availability of housing. She says another factor is domestic violence.
A recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows that a household must earn $20.68 per hour to afford fair market rent in Vermont.
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