Connecticut hotels are being used as homeless shelters but advocates say more is needed

Earlier this year, Connecticut reported 3,410 people were experiencing homelessness in a single night, rising for a third year in a row, according to the state’s annual point-in-time count.

The rise in homelessness in Connecticut and across the nation is attributed to several causes, but a primary driver is housing insecurity and affordability. The state needs more than 90,000 affordable units. In addition, a recent study ranked Connecticut as the worst state for renters, due to high costs and low availability of units.

As a result, Open Doors chief executive officer Michele Conderino said more people are staying longer in shelters. She said the average stay for clients at Open Doors was 149 days and it housed 38 people from March to September 2024. In comparison, they housed 45 households and had an average length of stay of 110 days at the same time last year.

Conderino said the demand is higher than what the staff can meet, especially as those stays are getting longer and winter nears.

Read more at https://www.registercitizen.com/recordjournal/article/ct-hotels-shelters-helps-address-homelessness-19798107.php