By: Leslie Black-Plumeau

January 31, 2012

Angus Chaney is joining the office of Agency of Human Services Secretary Doug Racine to focus on an integrated approach to housing and homelessness. In his new role, Angus will focus on the development and implementation of a statewide agenda to address the issues of homelessness, the development of housing retention programs and an integrated approach to the state’s housing needs.   

Angus comes to the AHS Secretary’s Office from the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity (in the Department for Children and Families) where he administered the federal Community Services Block Grant (HHS); Emergency Shelter Grants program (HUD); Economic Development Initiative grants (HUD); Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding (FEMA); and state Homeless Shelter and Services funding. He is the current chair of the Vermont Council on Homelessness, the State Committee for the Emergency Food & Shelter Program and was appointed to the Governor’s Community Development board in 2011. He participates in various other coalitions and taskforces, all working to address the long term impacts of poverty.

Secretary Racine stated, “Stable housing is a cornerstone for the work of the Agency, I am extremely pleased to have Angus join us to focus on this issue. I believe that his passion, experience and vision will be instrumental in moving a coordinated, integrated effort forward across the state.” For his part, Angus is thrilled about the opportunity to work on housing policy for the Agency, and immensely grateful for the time he has had working with friends and colleagues at OEO, DCF, and Vermont’s Community Action and shelter network. On a personal note, he lives with his wife and their twin 10-year-old daughters in Brandon and enjoys playing music, kayaking, soccer, and hiking in any weather.