Connecticut continues to invest significant funding to help meet the ongoing societal challenge of homelessness in our state. 

Sadly, a recent report detailed that throughout Connecticut there was an increase of 13% in overall homelessness from 2021 to 2022.

To help address this problem, the state budget adjustment passed during the 2022 legislative session includes $5 million for the Connecticut Department of Housing (CTDOH) for eviction prevention. Specifically, this funding is being distributed as follows:

• $2 million for Project Longevity housing vouchers to be issued in Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport and New Haven
• $1.5 million for the Rent Bank
• $1.5 million for the state’s seven regional Coordinated Access Networks, which is nearly triple the appropriation from the previous two years

In addition, CTDOH and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) recently announced the release of nearly $8.5 million in additional aid to connect those experiencing homelessness with support services like housing, food, and mental health services.

This includes:

• $5 million from CTDOH to support seasonal shelters and services throughout the homeless service system during the winter
• $2.5 million from CTDOH to develop new hubs within Coordinated Access Networks that supports the hiring of more staff, ensuring flexible financial assistance is available, and technological upgrades can be supported
• $500,000 from CTDOH for the United Way of Connecticut to increase staffing at 2-1-1
• $475,000 from DMHAS for the United Way of Connecticut to support costs related to the complex needs of unsheltered individuals and families during periods of extreme cold weather

If you know someone who is experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, please call 2-1-1 to help them get connected to available resources.