No sex offenders, arsonists, or those convicted of physical violence will be admitted to Veterans' Place transitional housing program Northfield residents were told last week at a special community informational meeting. Sandy Combs, president of Veterans' Place, Inc., or VPI, said that screening for applicants would include criminal background checks as well as drug and alcohol testing.

The Veterans' Place purchased the Mayo-DeLary House on Vine street last December with the intention of renovating the facility to provide 26 beds of transitional housing for homeless veterans in Vermont.

Mr. Combs said that pre-screening and background checks would include criminal checks done by the Vermont Criminal Information Center, or VCIC, and that any veteran with an outstanding warrant would not be accepted.

Selectman Charles Morse asked "what happens if" a participant fails the program.

Mr. Combs said that the organization "will do everything in our power to help" someone thrown out of the program to find other accommodations, such as a shelter.

Reverend Ralph Howe, VPI's secretary, said that those who fail the program "won't be in Northfield." He said that the screening process will "look at the likelihood of success" when choosing participants for the program.

Audrey Sanders said that panhandling just outside a men's shelter she ran in another state was a problem for the community.

Mr. Combs said that the facility is "not a shelter." He said that residents will be required to be gainfully employed or actively looking for work. He said that some residents may be "working with social services." He said that residents will have a curfew, which is in response to the community's concerns, and that there will be "random drug tests." Mr. Combs said that there is "potential of little kids at the facility" and that there may be an on site pet, a drug sniffing dog. He said that the facility will pay taxes.

Nate Freeman asked whether or not the program will be "sustainable," given that it is funded through grants.

Mr. Combs said that the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, pays a per diem and residents will be required to pay "30 percent of of their adjusted income." He said that some of the rent charged "will be returned when" the program is completed. He said that the program was designed to be sustainable at a "75 percent occupancy" rate.