Press Releases
05/16/2018
Gov. Malloy Announces Record Drop In Homelessness
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today is applauding the results of an annual census of homelessness in the state, saying that the point-in-time count confirms that the state’s recent efforts to reduce homelessness and increase access to housing are working.Conducted by the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) in January, the 2018 census found that homelessness in Connecticut has decreased for a fifth consecutive year and is at its lowest level to date.
The nonprofit organization’s report shows that in Connecticut:
• the total homeless population has decreased by 25 percent since 2007;
• the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness has decreased 69 percent since 2014, and 15 percent since 2017;
• nearly 75 percent of those considered chronically homeless were in the process of securing permanent housing; and
• the number of families experiencing homelessness decreased by 6 percent since 2017, with no identified unsheltered families.
Adopting policies that increase the availability of housing and reduce homelessness have been a key priority of Governor Malloy throughout his tenure.
“We’re doing something in Connecticut that many thought would never be possible – we are on a path towards ending homelessness,” Governor Malloy said. “The results of the latest point-in-time count show that homelessness in Connecticut is at a record low thanks to our continued investments in affordable housing, as well as the tremendous efforts of our nonprofit partners. I’d like to thank the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness and the thousands of volunteers who made this report possible, and I look forward to continuing to work together to end homelessness in Connecticut.”
“This report marks good progress in the effort to end homelessness,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “It’s an issue that impacts everyone in Connecticut – homelessness destabilizes communities and can devastate the people who are cycled in and out of emergency shelters for lack of services. I thank Governor Malloy for making housing a priority, and all of our partners and advocates for their work.”
“The State of Connecticut is a national leader in both the development of affordable housing and in creating systems that bring about an end to homelessness,” Department of Housing Commissioner Evonne M. Klein said. “The results of this year’s point-in-time count are remarkable. It shows that the systems we’ve established in Connecticut are working and are yielding great results. I applaud CCEH and all of the statewide housing providers who came together to make this year’s count a reality. Our momentum is strong and it’s important that in the coming months and years we do not waiver.”
In recent years, the State of Connecticut has reached several milestones in its efforts to end homelessness, including:
• becoming the first state in the nation to end chronic veteran homelessness;
• becoming one of only three states in the nation to effectively end veteran homelessness altogether;
• being the only state in the nation to have matched all chronically homelessness persons to housing.
The full 2018 point-in-time report can be found on the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness’s website.
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Office of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman