As winter temperatures drop, Connecticut faces a significant crisis in its homeless services system. Advocates report that more than a dozen individuals have died from exposure in the past two months, prompting urgent calls for additional resources to address the escalating number of unhoused individuals in the state. The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness has highlighted a staggering 45% increase in the homeless population, revealing a system that is struggling to keep pace with demand.
“The homeless response system was never built to respond to the level of need we are facing today,” stated Sarah Fox, the chief executive officer of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. She emphasized the lack of essential resources, including housing options and support services, to meet the growing demand.
Advocates and state legislators are urging for increased funding for prevention resources, housing subsidies, and overall support to mitigate the crisis. Fox noted the long shelter stays resulting from a shortage of affordable housing options, where individuals remain in shelters for extended periods due to the lack of available rentals.
The housing shortage particularly affects the lowest-income renters, creating a cycle of homelessness that is difficult to escape. Recently, state legislators passed a housing bill aimed at increasing availability, but it was vetoed by Gov. Ned Lamont due to concerns from suburban communities. A revised version was signed into law during a special session, yet critics argue it falls short of an immediate solution.
State Representative Jillian Gilchrest expressed her concerns about the limitations of the current housing bill compared to the original proposal. “There are certain elements where we are trying to make large inroads and we experience these setbacks,” she remarked. “The repercussions are that people are dying on the streets.”
Between November 1 and December 29, the state reported 15 deaths believed to be related to cold weather, with at least five individuals experiencing homelessness. Nine of these cases are still under investigation, according to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Currently, there are 3,735 individuals recorded as unhoused in Connecticut. Shelters and soup kitchens are overwhelmed, with reports indicating that the Coalition to End Homelessness has had to turn away one in five people seeking help.
Matthew Morgan, executive director of Journey Home, which coordinates homelessness services in the Capital Region, highlighted the congestion in the system. “We don’t have enough housing, services, and resources to get people out of homelessness and stabilized in the community,” he said. He suggested that the system is operating at only 20% of the capacity needed to function effectively.
Jennifer Paradis, executive director of the Beth-El Center in Milford, noted that the process for individuals seeking shelter has become increasingly lengthy. “If you are somebody who needs shelter, it can take several months to get into a shelter,” she explained. The scarcity of affordable housing and subsidies creates further barriers for those in need.
Paradis described the current situation as the worst she has witnessed in her two decades of service, stating that those entering shelters are often older and sicker. “The unsheltered homeless numbers are incredibly concerning. There is a systematic disinvestment in these services,” she added.
State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw emphasized the lack of transitional housing options, arguing that the state has to fight for basic funding each year to ensure that people are not left out in the cold. Despite Gov. Lamont allocating $4.5 million for cold weather emergency shelters this year, DeGraw insists that the funding is insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the unhoused.
State Senator Saud Anwar, co-chair of the Public Health Committee, has been a vocal advocate for increased resources. He pointed out that accessibility issues with the 211 helpline have exacerbated the problem, with long wait times and limited availability for those seeking assistance.
Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of United Way of Connecticut 211, acknowledged that while 211 is a critical component of the system, it is not the sole solution. “We need better resourcing of the entirety of the homeless system,” she said, highlighting the unacceptable number of individuals currently without shelter.
The complexity of the homelessness issue demands multifaceted solutions. Advocates argue that preventive measures, increased housing availability, and comprehensive support services are vital to address the root causes of homelessness.
Fox called for enhanced interagency collaboration and funding flexibility to meet regional needs. She also highlighted the necessity for municipalities to take greater responsibility in responding to homelessness, a sentiment echoed by Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.
Morgan suggested that successful models, such as the Compassionate Connections to Housing Program, could help connect individuals living in encampments with housing through subsidies and rental assistance. However, he cautioned that current resources are inadequate to fully implement such initiatives.
Paradis emphasized the importance of equitable investment across the entire system, advocating for preventive strategies such as fair rent commissions and just cause eviction protections to support those on the brink of homelessness.
Rep. DeGraw expressed concerns regarding staffing levels at 211 and the overall funding for the system, stating, “My concern is making sure people are getting help in a timely fashion.”
Rep. Jay Case, a Republican representing Litchfield County, asserted that the state must focus on providing stable housing rather than temporary shelter solutions.
In response to these challenges, Gov. Lamont has committed $6.9 million from a special reserve aimed at mitigating funding losses for federally subsidized housing resources and case management. Advocates hope this funding will lead to meaningful improvements in addressing Connecticut’s homelessness crisis.
