Juan R. Candelaria

The Connecticut Department of Housing is announcing the release of $45.8 million in funding to various programs that assist those in need of emergency shelter and services. This is in addition to the previously announced $5 million for cold weather shelters. Specific locations for cold weather shelters are determined by municipalities and nonprofit providers, with DOH providing funding for operations.

DOH is allocating funding to programs including:

• $6.4 million for the state’s newly created regional hubs, including one located in New Haven. These successful access points to homeless services, including walk-in referrals are strategically located throughout the state within each of its regional Coordinated Access Networks. These 12 hubs provide intake services and diversion services, which ultimately can be used to prevent individuals and families from entering homelessness.
• $3.2 million dollars in funding for shelter diversion. This is a flexible source of funds that assists a person who is in imminent danger of becoming homeless.
• $3 million in funding to support the operations of the Coordinated Access Network (CAN).
• $16.9 million in emergency shelter operational funding.
• $5 million for security deposits. This eliminates the barrier of saving for a security deposit to allow someone to move from shelter to an apartment.
• $10.3 million for Rapid Rehousing Services, which is targeted financial assistance and short-term services to quickly return an individual or family back into housing and stability.
• $976,000 for Permanent Supportive Housing a program that provides ongoing support for high barrier individuals to live independently in the community.