$350,000 Grant Secured To Fight Homelessness

GUILFORD, CT — The town and the United Way of Greater New Haven have secured $350,000 to help children, families and individuals in the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network who are facing homelessness, it was announced.

The grant will help people at the front door of homelessness by providing case management and diversion services - a strategy that helps identify what a household needs to stay in more stable housing and avoid going into a shelter, a press release read.

First Selectman Matthew T. Hoey III said Guilford is "pleased to be partners in this work to help more individuals and families in Guilford and across the GNH CAN region stay safely housed. We know that to have a strong, vibrant community, it is essential to help families get on a path to a more secure financial future."

In total, $13 million is being awarded to 13 municipalities across Connecticut though the Community Development Block Grant Small Cities program. Eligible projects must be in a municipality with fewer than 50,000 residents, and have a focus on improving neighborhoods, eliminating blight, and attracting economic development.

United Way of Greater New Haven President and CEO Jennifer Heath said receiving the grant “is a big win that will allow us to help even more people on the Shoreline and throughout greater New Haven because we know that many families in every community in our 12-town region struggle with the high cost of housing and are at risk of homelessness."