The Partnership for Strong Communities and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) applaud the decision of the Connecticut Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee and Governor Ned Lamont to direct $58.6 million to provide rental assistance and supportive services for individuals facing opioid use disorder and experiencing homelessness over the next four years. This critical investment in the ‘Housing as Recovery’ initiative reflects the understanding that stable housing and comprehensive supports are foundational to addressing substance use disorders and improving long-term health outcomes. Housing stability is a cornerstone of recovery, reducing the likelihood of relapse, hospitalizations, and returns to homelessness.
“This funding represents an opportunity to change lives and improve outcomes for those who are most vulnerable,” said Sarah Fox, Executive Director of CCEH. “But it’s important to recognize that the scale of our crisis far exceeds what this investment addresses. Without additional resources, including the $33.5 million CCEH is requesting from the state to combat Connecticut’s homelessness crisis, we risk leaving thousands of Connecticut residents without the homes and support they so desperately need.”
Connecticut’s 2024 Point-In-Time Count reported 3,410 individuals experiencing homelessness, a 13% rise from 2023–with 44% being children and those over 55. Thousands of Connecticut families are struggling to afford their homes. Over 120,000 renter households–predominantly Black and Latino–spend more than 50% of their income on their housing costs, placing them at constant risk of eviction and homelessness.
Connecticut’s Rental Assistance Program (RAP) currently supports over 6,500 low-income households–including those experiencing homelessness, living with disabilities, or reintegrating into the community from higher levels of care. RAP is underfunded and unable to meet the current need. Statewide rents have increased by 29% since 2021, contributing to a $5.6 million and growing deficit in RAP funding this fiscal year alone.
To truly address Connecticut’s housing crisis, we urge the state to invest at least $20 million more annually in RAP, and a corresponding $6.2 million in supportive services for people that do not meet the criteria of the Housing as Recovery initiative. These investments would provide housing and services to 650 additional low-income families while keeping pace with rising rents. This necessary investment would stabilize more Connecticut households and reduce their reliance on costly emergency systems while improving their health, education, and economic outcomes.
“The Housing as Recovery initiative is a powerful and meaningful step forward, and part of a necessary commitment of our leaders to housing affordability, stability, and ending homelessness,” said Chelsea Ross, Executive Director of the Partnership for Strong Communities. “We are looking forward to continuing to work alongside our leaders to expand access to rental assistance and ensure every Connecticut resident has access to a safe, stable, and affordable home.”
Even taking into account the use of settlement funds and a modest expansion of RAP, we still have a long way to go to address the very real need that the state has for more affordable housing options.
For more information, contact:
Dan Tapper
Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations, Inc.
(860) 573-4236
Dtapper@ctpr.com
Michelle Montano
Partnership for Strong Communities
(860) 209-7107
Michelle@pschousing.org