UniteCT Program

October 14, 2022

While working can be a source of income, it can also be an opportunity to become more independent, gain skills, cultivate relationships in your community, and feel empowered. Everyone should be able to find meaningful work. In Connecticut, we remain committed to ensuring workers with disabilities can access job training and workplaces that are inclusive and supportive. 

Last year, I proudly supported a law to establish a workforce development pipeline for individuals with disabilities. The program, housed in the state Department of Economic and Community Development, will take steps to address barriers individuals with disabilities often face in the workforce. 

UniteCT — created in early 2021 in response to the initial outbreak of the pandemic and administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing — provides qualified households up to 12 months of rental and  utility payment assistance. Payments are typically made directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of tenants.
 
To date, the program has distributed $322 million to more than 11,000 landlords on behalf of 50,000 households. The average rent and utility assistance per household so far is $8,366 and $1,484, respectively.
 
This additional $11 million will assist those currently in eviction and to prevent households from going into eviction. The Connecticut Department of Housing also intends to leverage these funds with the $1.5 million that it received in the recently adopted state budget for its new Rent Bank program.
 
To learn more about UniteCT, visit the Connecticut Department of Housing’s website at ct.gov/doh.