Connecticut Governor Rell Announces $26.4 Million to Combat Homelessness

Bridgeport, New Haven, Other Connecticut Cities to Benefit

January 13, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut will receive grants totaling $26.4 million to continue the state’s efforts to combat homelessness. The funds, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are being awarded to the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and to nonprofit agencies throughout the state.

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These grants include $2.1 million in new funding and the remaining dollars in renewal funding. Governor Rell commended DMHAS Commissioner Thomas A. Kirk, Jr., Ph.D., for his agency’s continuing efforts to address homelessness in Connecticut.

“Reducing homelessness remains an important priority,” Governor Rell said. “Thousands of homeless people in communities across the state with psychiatric and substance abuse problems will benefit from these funds and will have increased opportunities to obtain housing. This award allows us to continue positive steps we’ve already taken to address this problem.

“Permanent housing is essential to recovery,” the Governor said. “The grants provide needed supports to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness as they seek to make permanent housing a reality.”

Grant funds will be allocated to Bridgeport/Stratford/Fairfield ($3,707,629); Bristol ($348,849); Danbury ($678,204); Hartford ($4,283,022); Middletown/Middlesex County ($774,581); New Britain ($1,059,559); New Haven ($5,187,485); Norwalk/Fairfield County ($1,344,232); Stamford/Greenwich ($1,212,827); Waterbury ($1,298,206); and towns in the Norwich/New London area ($1,398,362). The remaining $5.1 million will be distributed to other Connecticut towns.

The grants will provide rental subsidies and support for emergency shelters as well as funding critical housing support services. About 40 percent of the total award will be used for rent subsidies – both new and existing – as a way of reducing housing costs to levels that homeless people with behavioral health problems can afford. The remainder will support transitional housing and support services.

Of the $26.4 million, $15 million was awarded to nonprofit agencies and $9.6 million was awarded directly to DMHAS, which contracts with agencies in the towns. The remaining $1.8 million in emergency shelter grants will benefit Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven and Waterbury and possibly other towns.

Source: Connecticut Governor