Housing and Homeless Services

Alice Minervino, Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services, (860) 418-6942
Brenda Earle, Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services, (860) 418-6845

For additional information related to coordinated access networks please contact 2-1-1.

Follow this link to locate your town and the corresponding Coordinated Access Network (CAN).  

If You Need Services - 211
Entry to all homeless services, rapid rehousing and supportive housing in Connecticut is coordinated through United Way InfoLine 211.  If you or a person you are working with need shelter or housing assistance, calling 211 opens the front door to resources to prevent homelessness or quickly end homelessness.

DMHAS Statewide Services Housing and Homeless Unit Staff
Alice Minervino, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services - (860) 418-6942; alice.minervino@ct.gov

Nichelle Jefferson, Consumer Information Representative -  (860) 418-6907; nichelle.jefferson@ct.gov

Lisa Callahan, Health Program Associate - (860) 418-6629; Lisa.Callahan@ct.gov

Brenda Earle, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Housing and Homeless Services - (860)418-6845; brenda.earle@ct.gov

Program Fax:  860-730-8365

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Projects for Assistant in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
Federally funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), PATH programs provide outreach and engagement into services to persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have serious mental health needs or who have mental health needs with a co-occurring substance use disorder.  Link to PATH Provider List.

DMHAS Operated Homeless Outreach
All state operated Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) have collaborative Outreach and Engagement programs.  Homeless Outreach Teams consist of individuals with expertise in substance abuse, mental health, financial assistance programs, housing and vocational services. Many of these teams work in tandem with the PATH funded staff.  The teams reach homeless individuals under bridges, in cars, shelters, bus stations, and in encampments.  They offer a variety of support services and a safe environment to assist individuals through the transition from homelessness. 

Housing Assistance Fund (HAF formerly Bridge Program)
Provides temporary rental assistance to persons with serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders while an individual/family is on a waiting list for permanent state and/or federal subsidy or a person being released from an psychiatric inpatient hospital stay. The program also provides security deposits to individuals/families with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder. Services are provided by the local system of care on an in-kind basis.   Link to HAF Provider List.

Rental Assistance (formerly Shelter Plus Care)
Program funded through US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides rental assistance and supportive services for homeless individuals, who have a serious mental illness, a substance use disorder, or HIV/AIDS. DMHAS is the grantee for approximately 1400 housing vouchers which provide housing subsidies for individuals and families throughout the state.

Permanent Supportive Housing
The Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative (PSH) is a public/private collaborative effort to foster the development of long-term solutions to the housing and service needs of families and individuals, coping with psychiatric disabilities and/or chemical dependency who are facing homelessness. This is accomplished through the leasing of existing scattered site housing and the development of new housing units. DMHAS funds Private, Non-Profit agencies to provide wrap around case management services. The State Department of Housing provides many of the housing subsidies through its Rental Assistance Program (RAP) program. Other housing vouchers come from HUD or local Housing Authorities. 

Connecticut Collaborative on Reentry (CCR)
A supportive housing program, formerly known as FUSE, serves individuals in six communities in Connecticut who have been identified as high utilizers of jails and homeless shelters. Eligible individuals are identified via an administrative data match between the Homeless Management Information System and the Department of Correction. Most individuals are housed with Rental Assistance Program vouchers provided by the Department of Housing, with services funded through DMHAS.

Social Innovation Fund (SIF)
Connecticut Integrated Health and Housing Neighborhoods (SIF-CIHHN) program, part of the CSH’s national pilot, provides housing and support services to individuals who have been identified as high utilizers of Medicaid and homeless shelters. Eligible individuals are identified via an administrative data match between the Homeless Management Information System and Department of Social Service’s Medicaid data.

HUD 811 Program
a collaborative effort with the Departments of Housing, Social Services and Developmental Services to develop a comprehensive housing and service plan for the HUD funded 811 project.  The housing will be provided through recently (within 5 years) rehabbed or new constructed buildings.  DMHAS provides support services to tenants through various housing programs, including PSH and the CABHI funded services. 

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR)

Publications

Quality Improvement

Web Links - Organizations dedicated to ending homelessness and increasing housing opportunities.

Housing Assistance Fund Program
A state-funded rental assistance program which provides for a monthly housing subsidy payment to persons with a psychiatric disorder on a temporary basis while an individual/family is on a waiting list for permanent state and/or federal subsidy.  Please contact one of the agencies below for help in your area.

REGION 1

Bridgeport, CT
Mental Health CT
4270 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT  06605
Tanya Goodhue, 860-529-1970 x116
Fax:  860-529-6833

Stamford, CT
Family Centers, Inc.
60 Palmer Hill Road
Stamford, CT  06902
Gregory Hauck, 203-324-3167
Fax:  203-358-2327

REGION 2

Ansonia, CT
BHcare (valley Offices)
(formerly Birmingham Group Health Services)
435 East Main Street
Ansonia, CT  06401
Elaine Matt, 203-736-2601
Fax:  203-736-2641

Branford, CT
BHcare (Shoreline Offices)
(formerly Harbor Health Services)
14 Sycamore Way
Branford, CT  06401
Bobbi Jo Evans, 203-483-2645
Fax:  203-483-2648

Meriden, CT
Rushford Center, Inc.
384 Pratt Street
Meriden, CT  06450
Deanna Bencivengo, 203-630-5369
Fax:  203-630-5219

Middletown, CT
River Valley Services
P.O. Box 351
Middletown, CT  06457
Lisa Callahan, 860-262-5352
Fax:  860-262-5356

New Haven, CT
Continuum of Care, Inc.
399 Orange Street
New Haven, CT  06511
John Labieniec, HRC
Nina Wallace
Ph:  203-401-2082

REGION 3

New London, CT
Norwich, CT
Southeastern Mental Health Authority
401 W. Thames Street, Bldg. 301
Norwich, CT  06360
Erik Clevenger
Ph:  860-859-4647  Fax:  860-859-4659

REGION 4

East Hartford, CT
Inter Community Mental Health Group
281 Main Street
East Hartford, CT  06118
Ryan MacDonough,  860-291-1309
Fax:  860-569-5925

Enfield, CT
Community Health Resources (CHR)
153 Hazard Ave.
Enfield, CT
Julie Bernstein, 860-835-7283

Hartford, CT
My Sister's Place
2197 Main Street
Hartford, CT  06120
Ann Viner, 860-895-6629
Fax:  860-549-1634

Manchester, CT
Community Health Resources (CHR)
587 East Middle Turnpike
Manchester, CT  06040
Robert Soderberg, 860-646-3888
Fax:  860-645-4132

New Britain, CT
Community Mental Health Affiliates
12 Whiting St.
New Britain, CT  06502
Manssour Hanne, 860-229-2711 x3156
Fax:  860-229-2715

REGION 5

Danbury, CT
Mental Health CT
345 Main Street
Danbury, CT  06810
Frances Fallon, (203) 805-6408
Fax: 
(203) 805-6432

Torrington, CT
Northwest Mental Health Authority
249 Winsted Road
Torrington, CT  06790
Frances Fallon, (203) 805-6408
Fax:
  (203) 805-6432

Waterbury, CT
Western CT Mental Health Network - Waterbury Area
969 West Main St. Suite 3A
Waterbury, CT 06708
Frances Fallon, (203) 805-6408
Fax:
  (203) 805-6432

PATH Contacts
Northeastern CT CAN
Perception Programs, Inc.
Brittney Stanley
Outpatient Services Program Director
54 North Street
Willimantic, CT  06226
Brittney.stanley@perceptionprograms.org
860.450.0151

Greater Hartford CAN

Community Health Resources
Andrea Hakian, LCSW
Service Director
487 Center Street
Manchester, CT 06040
AHakian@CHRHEALTH.ORG
860.432.8775 x516

Central CT CAN

Friendship Services Center
Vera Clark
Outreach Worker
241 Arch St.
New Britain, CT 06050
vclark@friendshipservicecenter.org
860.225.0211

Greater New Haven CAN

Columbus House, Inc.
Lisbette De La Cruz
Outreach Manager
586 Ella Grasso Blvd.
New Haven, CT 06519
ldelacrz@columbushouse.org
203.772.4200 ext. 2126

Meriden/Middletown/Wallingford CAN

Shawn Hovatter
Columbus House, Inc.
MFS Office
117 Daddario Road
Middletown, CT 06457
shovatter@columbushouse.org
860.834.5595

Southeastern CT CAN
Philip Brose
Homeless Outreach Unit Director
Reliance Health, Inc. (formerly Reliance House)
40 Broadway
Norwich, CT 06360
pbrose@reliancehealthinc.org
860.887.6536 ext. 305
Waterbury/Torrington CAN
Belinda Arce-Lopez
Program Director
Center for Human Development
965 South Main St.
Waterbury, CT 06706
barcelopez@chd.org
203.596.9323 ext. 125
Fairfield County CAN
Michele Conderino
Director of Homeless Services
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County
24 Grassy Plain Street
Bethel, CT 06801
Mconderino@ccfc-ct.org
203.748.0848 ext. 231
Security Deposit Program
 This program provides security deposit funds to individuals/families in search of permanent housing.

Security Deposit Only:

Milford, CT
Bridges: A Community Support System, Inc.
949 Bridgeport Avenue
Milford, CT 06460
Dawn Silver-DeAngelis, 203-878-6365 x338
Fax: 203-877-3088

Norwalk, CT
Keystone House, Inc.
141 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
Andrea Scott, 203-956-7817
Fax: 203-855-7943

Return to: Statewide Services