Connecticut Supportive Housing Services at Risk as Federal Funding Shifts, Officials Warn

Connecticut officials and service providers warned this week that supportive housing services for more than 5,000 unhoused residents are at risk as HUD shifts funding away from the model, Connecticut Public reported October 16. Department of Housing Deputy Commissioner Julian Pierce said the service portion of supportive housing, including mental health and addiction treatment, is "certainly in jeopardy" and is as critical as the housing itself. The warnings came at the fourth annual Connecticut Housing Conference in New Haven. Of the state's roughly 5,000 supportive housing units, only about 900 turned over last year, and residents stay an average of seven years. About 14 percent of those who leave move to self-paid permanent housing, while about 15 percent of exits are deaths, Pierce said. A Partnership for Strong Communities report found the system overworked and underfunded, with high caseworker burnout and provider pay that does not match the workload. Providers say answers include building more units and paying landlord incentives such as damage repairs and higher security deposits. Advocates say preserving treatment and case management funding in upcoming federal award cycles will determine whether Connecticut can sustain the program at its current scale.