First Connecticut Point-In-Time Homeless Count Indicates Wide Need For Supportive And Affordable Housing
The first statewide Point-In-Time Count of homeless individuals and families indicates a wide need for more supportive housing and affordable housing options to comprehensively coordinate the effort to end homelessness in Connecticut.
The count found an estimated 3,325 households experienced homelessness on the night of January 30. Of those, 2,138 single adults and nearly 392 families with minor children resided in emergency shelter or transitional programs. Almost 40 families and more than 700 single adults were living on the streets, in parks, cars, transportation terminals or other locations not intended for human habitation.
“This count provides detailed information that will support improved planning and targeting of resources – and will provide a baseline number of homeless persons that can be used in future years to assess our impact towards achieving the goal of ending chronic homelessness,” said Carol Walter, Executive Director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness.
The survey totals provided initial insights into the most effective ways to combat homelessness:
- An estimated 961 chronically homeless disabled individuals were found in sheltered and unsheltered locations. Many more supportive housing units will be needed to best serve the needs of this population. Supportive housing is permanent, independent, and affordable rental housing with support services attached, and is the solution to chronic homelessness.
- Behavioral health problems were less common among adults in families than single adults. These families can be best served by increasing the stock of housing affordable to those at low- and very low-income levels. Housing that is safe and affordable to families would provide stability to the 797 homeless children counted with their families.
- A quarter of homeless people are located in predominantly rural and suburban areas, which indicates that creating more supportive housing in those areas and not solely in cities may be an effective strategy.
