History and Successes

The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) was founded in 1982 as a membership organization by staff and volunteers of homeless shelters in response to increasing homelessness.

During the 1980’s, dramatic cuts to federal assistance programs combined with stagnant wages and rising housing costs sent many into homelessness. By this time, deinstitutionalization from mental health hospitals also led to an influx of individuals with special needs into homelessness as community supports were insufficient. Increasing homelessness drove shelter workers together to form CCEH to fight for services for those in need and most importantly, affordable housing. In 1983, this advocacy resulted in Columbus House (New Haven) becoming the first publicly funded homeless shelter. There are now 45 shelters funded by grants from the Department of Social Services.

Successes

Working through members and colleague organizations, CCEH has developed a strong grassroots base and mobilized supporters to achieve policy gains over the years.

• Lead, implement and manage the statewide Homeless Management Information System, a database of more than 45,000 individuals;
• Co-sponsor of the statewide Point in Time Count which provides a snapshot of homelessness each year;
• Provide grassroots organizing and technical assistance for all twelve Community Plans to End Homelessness. CCEH provided direct planning and support to develop and implement Ten Year Plans to End Homelessness in Waterbury, Southeastern Connecticut, Greater Bridgeport, Meriden-Wallingford, Windham, Middlesex and Norwalk (pending).
• Support shelters, housing and services programs via education, training and networking opportunities, including the organization of Annual Training Institute attended by more than 200 community leaders, providers and activists since 2000;
• Design, advocate and coordinate Beyond Shelter in 2000, a state-funded program which supports the rapid exit of homeless families from shelters to housing in twelve communities;
• Collaborate with community and statewide partners including the Partnership for Strong Communities (Reaching Home Campaign) beginning in 1995; the Corporation for Supportive Housing (FUSE); the Welfare Working Group and the Family Economic Success Network.