Our Work
Advocacy & Field Mobilization
CCEH serves as a catalyst for change and represents the interests of people who are homeless. We work with local communities and statewide advocates to inform policy change at the local, state and federal level. CCEH provides stakeholders with the information, tools, and resources that they need to empower their leadership in policy change to prevent and end homelessness.
Federal Advocacy
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants are the federal government's primary response to homelessness and are critical to the state and national movement to prevent and end homelessness. CCEH's federal advocacy agenda includes:
- Strengthen Homeless Assistance Programs through implementation of the HEARTH Act.
- Build mainstream federal housing resources to increase affordable housing and create more permanent supportive housing. Provide funding for new Housing Choice Vouchers, including 10,000 new HUD-VASH vouchers, 7,500 HUD-HHS Housing and Services vouchers, and for the Family Unification Program.
- Support Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) programs. Increase funding for a homeless youth incidence study and the Transitional Living Program to stabilize youth in housing while they finish high school.
- Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Reauthorization Encourage U.S. DOL to create incentives for workforce investment boards and employment programs to serve homeless populations.
Join CCEH in supporting the national McKinney-Vento 2013 Campaign by using NAEH’s tool kit. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program is the biggest federal initiative targeted to homelessness. Work with CCEH and your colleagues to help secure $2.231 billion for McKinney-Vento programs in fiscal year (FY) 2013.
State Advocacy
In partnership with other advocates to prevent and end homelessness in Connecticut, we propose the following initiatives. Join our Advocacy Committee or use our Advocacy Tools to get involved
1. Protect and re-tool the emergency housing response system (DSS homeless/housing line item) in Connecticut, which provides vital services to tens of thousands of Connecticut residents.
2. Expand state housing subsidies (and rental assistance certificates), which are the most effective intervention to end family homelessness.
3. Invest in new supportive housing and save state dollars. Supportive housing is the most effective solution to chronic homelessness.
4. Preserve and revitalize the state public housing portfolio, as proposed by Governor Malloy. This would transform as many as 14,000 affordable housing units and create jobs.
5. Increase economic security among Connecticut’s poorest residents with investments in adult and occupational education. Allow cash assistance extensions for those involved in job training and education.