CT DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING PROVIDES FUNDING FOR FIVE COLD WEATHER SHELTERS

The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to 5 organizations across the state to support cold weather emergency shelters. The goal of the funding is to provide a warm physical space for any homeless individual or family that needs accommodations during the winter season of 2024-2025.  Last year DOH was able to support 1545 individuals in need of cold weather shelter. 

Organizations receiving funding:

Journey Home for $1,210,050 for Hartford and Tolland Counties
New Opportunities $312,750 for Meriden, Wallingford, and Middlesex County
The Housing Collective $1,310,400 for Fairfield County, Litchfield County and Waterbury,
United Way of Greater New Haven $1,040,400 for Greater New Haven
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut $626,400 for New London and Windham Counties.
 

“This funding will allow homeless households to stay warm and be safe from the harsh New England winter.  These cold weather shelters can be essential in saving the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno. “The facilities are also an important link to access other vital housing resources that can play an integral role in ending chronic homelessness.”

The investment of cold weather funds is in addition to the $45.8 million allocated in December 2023 to maintain and expand access to the state’s homeless support system.

“Cold weather funds provide critical services for our most vulnerably community, said Kelly Fitzgerald, the Vice President of Economic Mobility for the United Way of Greater New Haven.  “It is an opportunity to keep households safe while also connecting them to services and housing.  The investment made by the Connecticut Department of Housing will allow us to meet the growing need of our unhoused neighbors more adequately.”

In 2023 the Dept. of Housing rebid the entire homeless service system, maintaining services for traditional emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing while expanding services for coordinated entry, adding diversion funds, and creating a new entry point for those seeking services through the “HUBs” located in several areas across the state.

 

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For immediate release: August 20, 2024

Contact: Maribel La Luz

maribel.laluz@ct.gov

cell: 860-539-5485