Housing and Homeless Services

Alice Minervino, Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services, (860) 418-6942
Brenda Earle, Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services, (860) 418-6845

• CT Housing Engagement and Support Services (CHESS)
• System-Wide Analytics and Projection (SWAP)
• Supportive Housing Training Catalog Spring 2020

For additional information related to coordinated access networks please contact 2-1-1.

Follow this link to locate your town and the corresponding Coordinated Access Network (CAN).  

If You Need Services - 211
Entry to all homeless services, rapid rehousing and supportive housing in Connecticut is coordinated through United Way InfoLine 211.  If you or a person you are working with need shelter or housing assistance, calling 211 opens the front door to resources to prevent homelessness or quickly end homelessness.

DMHAS Statewide Services Housing and Homeless Unit Staff
Alice Minervino, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services - (860) 418-6942; alice.minervino@ct.gov

Nichelle Jefferson, Consumer Information Representative -  (860) 418-6907; nichelle.jefferson@ct.gov

Lisa Callahan, Health Program Associate - (860) 418-6629; Lisa.Callahan@ct.gov

Brenda Earle, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services - (860)418-6845; brenda.earle@ct.gov

Program Fax:  860-730-8365

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Projects for Assistant in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
Federally funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), PATH programs provide outreach and engagement into services to persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have serious mental health needs or who have mental health needs with a co-occurring substance use disorder.  Link to PATH Provider List.

DMHAS Operated Homeless Outreach
All state operated Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) have collaborative Outreach and Engagement programs.  Homeless Outreach Teams consist of individuals with expertise in substance abuse, mental health, financial assistance programs, housing and vocational services. Many of these teams work in tandem with the PATH funded staff.  The teams reach homeless individuals under bridges, in cars, shelters, bus stations, and in encampments.  They offer a variety of support services and a safe environment to assist individuals through the transition from homelessness. 

Housing Assistance Fund (HAF formerly Bridge Program)
Provides temporary rental assistance to persons with serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders while an individual/family is on a waiting list for permanent state and/or federal subsidy or a person being released from an psychiatric inpatient hospital stay. The program also provides security deposits to individuals/families with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder. Services are provided by the local system of care on an in-kind basis.   Link to HAF Provider List.

Rental Assistance (formerly Shelter Plus Care)
Program funded through US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides rental assistance and supportive services for homeless individuals, who have a serious mental illness, a substance use disorder, or HIV/AIDS. DMHAS is the grantee for approximately 1400 housing vouchers which provide housing subsidies for individuals and families throughout the state.

Permanent Supportive Housing
The Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative (PSH) is a public/private collaborative effort to foster the development of long-term solutions to the housing and service needs of families and individuals, coping with psychiatric disabilities and/or chemical dependency who are facing homelessness. This is accomplished through the leasing of existing scattered site housing and the development of new housing units. DMHAS funds Private, Non-Profit agencies to provide wrap around case management services. The State Department of Housing provides many of the housing subsidies through its Rental Assistance Program (RAP) program. Other housing vouchers come from HUD or local Housing Authorities. 

Connecticut Collaborative on Reentry (CCR)
A supportive housing program, formerly known as FUSE, serves individuals in six communities in Connecticut who have been identified as high utilizers of jails and homeless shelters. Eligible individuals are identified via an administrative data match between the Homeless Management Information System and the Department of Correction. Most individuals are housed with Rental Assistance Program vouchers provided by the Department of Housing, with services funded through DMHAS.

Social Innovation Fund (SIF)
Connecticut Integrated Health and Housing Neighborhoods (SIF-CIHHN) program, part of the CSH’s national pilot, provides housing and support services to individuals who have been identified as high utilizers of Medicaid and homeless shelters. Eligible individuals are identified via an administrative data match between the Homeless Management Information System and Department of Social Service’s Medicaid data.

HUD 811 Program
a collaborative effort with the Departments of Housing, Social Services and Developmental Services to develop a comprehensive housing and service plan for the HUD funded 811 project.  The housing will be provided through recently (within 5 years) rehabbed or new constructed buildings.  DMHAS provides support services to tenants through various housing programs, including PSH and the CABHI funded services. 

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR)

• Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
• Opening Doors Connecticut:  A Framework for Ending Homelessness  

Quality Improvement

• Connecticut Supportive Housing Quality Review Materials
• Family Work Program Assessments

Web Links - Organizations dedicated to ending homelessness and increasing housing opportunities.