Homelessness in Connecticut increased by more than 9% last year, according to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH). While one study found that Connecticut is the top state for assisting those who are homeless, some lawmakers say more needs to be done. CCEH officials asked state legislators for $123.9 million at a Hartford press conference earlier this month. The money will be used for rental housing assistance, increasing shelter capacity and rapid response programs.
Multiple lawmakers attended CCEH’s press conference, including four Connecticut state representatives, Kadeem Roberts, D-Norwalk; Antonio Felipe, D-Bridgeport; Laurie Sweet, D-Hamden, Eleni Kavros DeGraw and D-Avon, who is also a CCEH board member. Roberts is the founder of the End Homelessness Caucus, which Sweet also serves on.
CCEH is made up of organizations that work to solve homelessness. The City of New Haven is a listed member.
Officials say roughly 8,000 people are homeless in Connecticut Sarah Fox, the CEO of CCEH, told CT Mirror, “Frontline teams are doing everything possible, but we need predictable — we need life-saving resources in place so that when the next emergency hits, protecting human life is not dependent on extraordinary measures.”
People at the conference said that some would-be residents avoid going to shelters because of fear of ICE. In Bridgeport, a homeless man died of hypothermia after late January’s winter storm. The man had previously denied requests from people to take him to a homeless shelter over fears of ICE activity.
In the state of Connecticut in 2025, more than 130 homeless people died outside with at least two of those dead were infants.
CCEH officials also say they want more legislation advocating for the rights of those homelessness such as laws that would prevent officers from arresting anyone sleeping outside. They also demanded more action from Gov. Ned Lamont on funding.
Some students agree with the lawmakers.Azam Hostetler, a junior communications major, said, “I think overall homelessness is a huge problem not just in this state but in this country, and there’s a lot of different ways to deal with it.”
He said the state should provide shelter and educational resources. He also suggested cities not move people who are homeless to other locations.
He also said that the resources need to be going to the right people such as homeless shelters and education while also citing the hypothermia death of a man at the New Haven Green in December.
Cosimo d’Errico, a junior communications major, said, “I do see homelessness around New Haven; some areas like at intersections in West Haven. I do think they should do something about putting them in a shelter or something.”
