The state Department of Housing recently dedicated $45.8 million dollars toward homelessness programming in 海角换妻.
The funds will go toward throughout the phases of homelessness, from eviction prevention, to emergency shelter and aid in identifying housing.
About $30 million of that money was already allocated or spent, according to housing advocates. But the $16 million in new flex funds can be used for one-off needs, like security deposits, building two new in-person assistance hubs and shelter diversion.
The funding is desperately needed as homelessness rises in the state, but the new money won鈥檛 fix the urgent need to increase 海角换妻鈥檚 shelter capacities as temperatures drop this winter, said Sarah Fox, executive director of the 海角换妻 Coalition to End Homelessness.
鈥淲e need to make sure that we're bringing people inside across the state so we can save lives,鈥� Fox said. 鈥淭hat's really important, and we still have an urgent need on the streets in our communities today of unsheltered homelessness, that we have to address.鈥�
Money will expand in-person service hubs in two communities
Last year, the state developed regional 鈥渉ubs鈥� that act as an expanded, in-person 2-1-1 emergency service. Residents can visit the hubs, located in each county鈥檚 鈥淐oordinated Access Network,鈥� to seek immediate aid such as security deposit help and bus tickets to visit family members with secure housing.
Seila Mosquera-Bruno, the state鈥檚 housing commissioner, said the hubs served an immediate need and, for some people, a more long-term one.
鈥淢any people did not have phones, and they needed to have another place where they could go in person and be able to talk to someone,鈥� Mosquera-Bruno said. 鈥淎nd that gives the opportunity to do some other diversion work.鈥�
About $6 million from the $46 million in funding will be used for two new hubs in Middletown and Manchester. The hubs are a partnership with the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and will provide treatment for substance misuse and housing support.
Another $10 million will go toward rehousing services, providing financial assistance and short-term services to help residents establish housing stability.
State says it鈥檚 supporting shelters while stopping homelessness before it starts
The Department of Housing says it's working to level the playing field for how it funds shelters across 海角换妻. The agency also says it is focusing on a 鈥渉olistic鈥� approach of caring for the housing insecure and preventing people from becoming homeless.
鈥淭here are people that need services all throughout,鈥� said Steve DiLella, director of Individual and Family Support Programs at the agency. 鈥淲hether it's at the front door, whether it's right when you enter shelter, and you need to exit, whether it's staying in shelter, or whether it's in a rapid rehousing program or permanent supportive housing program.鈥�
The state鈥檚 placing an emphasis on programs to prevent homelessness, where in previous years more state resources went into providing shelter than stopping evictions, DiLella said.
鈥淲hat we're trying to do is build up the overall system and continuum of care, so that we can really try to affect change,鈥� DiLella said.
