Beyond Shelter Program

This program assists homeless individuals and/or families who are leaving homeless shelters and transitional living programs to achieve housing stability by providing the services and activities with independent living. This program is run by the Community Services Division.

 

CT Housing Search

The housing locator service allows people to locate available housing that best fits their individual and family needs. The service can be accessed online 24 hours a day and is supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center M-F, 9-8 EST. Individuals can easily search for housing using a wide variety of search criteria with special mapping features and receive apartment listings that provide a multitude of important information about each unit. In addition, the site connects people to other housing resources through website links and provides helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and renter rights and responsibilities information.  (Please note this is an external website not maintained by the Department of Social Services)

 

Emergency Shelters

The Department of Social Services administers funding for Emergency Shelters to provide shelter and case management services to homeless individuals at least 18 years old or emancipated minors and families. This link will direct you to a listing of homeless shelters.  (Please note this is an external website not maintained by the Department of Social Services)

 

Eviction Prevention Program

The EFPP is designed to prevent evictions and foreclosures through mediation and a Rent Bank. Twelve community-based agencies operate the program. A trained mediator acts as a third party facilitator to help develop mutually agreed upon solutions to identified problems which may include back rent or mortgage payments, repairs, housing code violations and communication problems. The Rent Bank provides funds to eligible families to help pay rent or mortgage arrears.  A family may consist of a single individual, roommates, an extended family, or a one or two parent family.

 

Homeshare Program

Single adults who are having difficulty maintaining their homes and/or don’t want to live alone, may share a home with another single adult who needs affordable housing and is willing to either make a financial contribution or perform services.

 

Housing Assistance

DSS provides comprehensive housing-related services thru direct grants to municipalities and community based agencies. 

 

Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS

This program provides four (4) types of categories of programs:  Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living, Independent Living and Supported Living programs.  In addition to providing housing and shelter, case management services are provided to clients. Eligible clients are individuals or families with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Services provided are designed to increase the client’s stability and to provide case management services along with assistance with activities of daily living.  This program is run by the Community Services Division.

 

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

The housing choice voucher program is the government's major program for assisting very-low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants are able to find their own housing, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. The participant is free to choose any private rental housing that meets the requirements of the program.

The waiting list is currently closed. The Department of Social Services will re-open the waiting list to accept applications when most people on the waiting list have been served. When the list is about to be opened, a notice and pre-application form will be placed in local newspapers and media outlets as well as on the DSS website.

 

Transitional Living Program

This program provides provide clients with transitional living  assistance – this is defined as a multi-family or single room residency program with intensive support services for homeless individuals and/or families, for a period of 6 months to 2 years.  Intensive support services include case management services and other activities, to assist clients in gaining self-sufficiency and moving into permanent housing. This program is run by the Community Services Division.

 

Rental Assistance Program

The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is the major state-funded program for assisting very-low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.

 

Security Deposit Program

For eligible households, the Security Deposit Guarantee Program provides a guarantee to landlords of up to two month's rent instead of an actual payment.