Housing and Homeless Services

Housing and Homeless Services Unit

CALL 211 and press #3 and #1 if you are homeless or in a housing emergency.


Geller Commons	New Reach

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Housing and Homeless Services can be accessed through Coordinated Access Networks (CAN), which consist of community providers across the state who work with DMHAS eligible heads of households and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Persons are prioritized for housing services based on an assessment to be completed after calling 211.Calling 211 and/or completing the assessment does not guarantee housing.

Dial 211 from anywhere in Connecticut.
If you are hearing impaired use the TTY number: 1-800-671-0737.
If you are outside of Connecticut or have difficulties using the 211 number, dial 1-800-203-1234.

To begin this process, persons experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness must call 211 and dial #3 and #1 to speak to a contact specialist trained to assess housing needs.

If a 211 contact specialist is unable to identify resources, the person will be offered a CAN assessment appointment in the community of his/her choice.

If assessed and prioritized with a high need for housing, the CAN community providers will include the household on the prioritized waiting list for housing.

Housing resources available through the CAN are prioritized for individuals and families who meet the literal homeless definition of the federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Coordinated Access Networks (CAN) Map

CAN Brochures

A potential housing resource may include any of the following DMHAS programs:

CT Collaborative on Re-Entry
Social Innovation Fund
HUD 811 Program
HUD Continuum of Care Rental Assistance
Permanent Supportive Housing Services

Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)

Federally funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), PATH programs provide outreach and engagement into services to persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have serious mental health needs or who have mental health needs with a co-occurring substance use disorder.

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)

Connecticut’s SOAR Initiative is led by the State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). SOAR is a model used to complete the SSI/SSDI application to assist clients in gaining access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SOAR model is used for eligible adults who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness and have a mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.

Visit the SOARWorks website for more information on program eligibility and to see if there is a trained SOAR case manager in your area.

Transit HOP Program

In an effort to address a marked increase in persons who may be experiencing homelessness, mental health, and/or substance use concerns at CT Rail and FasTrak stations, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) has partnered with DMHAS and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to provide a new outreach program. The goal of this new program is to engage, support and connect people who may be unstably housed, or who may have challenges with mental health or substance use, to community resources.

Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance (CTHRA) outreach workers will be available to transit stations in the evening hours, between 10PM and 1AM. These outreach workers will assist individuals with getting into shelter or onto the shelter waitlist; making housing plans; seeking treatment for mental health or substance use issues, and linking people to other services as needed. State Troopers will also be available during evening outreach to support the safety of the CT Rail, CT FasTrak employees, outreach teams, and riders.

CT Harm Reduction Alliance Outreach workers will have lanyards and badges that clearly identify them as well as allow them to ride the rails and FasTrak, so that engagement can happen on the trains, buses, or at the stations. This new program will begin with a focus on the Hartford and New Britain stations and will expand to other locations over time. If you have any questions, please contact Mollie.Machado@ct.gov.

Publications

Links to organizations dedicated to ending homelessness and increasing housing opportunities