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Quinnipiac Homelessness Mitigation Mediation Program Receives Grant
Quinnipiac Homelessness Mitigation Mediation Program receives $540,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Housing
NORTH HAVEN– Quinnipiac University School of Law’s Homelessness Mitigation Mediation Program (HMMP) has received a $540,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Housing.
The award will support HMMP’s work to assist the department in serving individuals applying for the UniteCT Eviction Prevention Fund Program.
The goal of the program is to prevent eviction and build and repair landlord- tenant relationships while improving communication. Focusing on facilitation of dialogue between the parties most directly impacted by rental arrearages empowers direct participation in the effort to increase housing stability and in response to the increased number of eviction filings during and since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“Quinnipiac University School of Law’s partnership with the Department of Housing began as a six-month pilot in February of 2021 and since this time, it has continued to help individuals facing eviction to work through those issues and remain in their homes,” said Jennifer Gerarda Brown, dean of QU’s School of Law. “This two-year extension is truly exciting. It allows us to continue our focus on providing thoughtful and empathetic mediation services to some of our most vulnerable fellow citizens facing housing instability.
“To date we have assisted over 1,350 families and individuals navigate their housing situation and options,” Brown added. “We have also focused on our students, providing them with opportunities to participate in a mediation clinic that demonstrates to them the incredible impact they can have on their communities.”
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More specifically, QU will provide landlord-tenant mediation services to clients deemed eligible for the Program by the Department of Housing in an effort to assist as many clients as possible prior to their attendance at formal court proceedings. This pre-court mediation process is designed to both lower any potential anxiety for the clients and assist the Connecticut Judicial Branch with its case management.
“We believe that this funding will deepen our mission towards being a University of the Future, and contribute to meaningful, ambitious and innovative solutions in the realm of housing stability and community well-being,” said Maureen McCarthy, executive director of QU’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
