SENATE DEMOCRATS RELEASE STATEMENTS RESPONDING TO HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION INVESTMENT

Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), Senate Chair of the Housing Committee, and State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released statements responding to Governor Lamont’s announced plan to invest at least $5.2 million into homelessness prevention and response services throughout Connecticut.

The funds, to be contributed through the Emergency State Response Reserve, will be used to support providers in the state receiving aid through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program. Funding for that program, a primary federal homelessness prevention and support effort, is currently paused, and the Trump administration recently announced plans to upend its funding allocations.

“Thousands of Connecticut residents risk homelessness due to sudden and arbitrary federal funding changes. I’m pleased our state is responding before people are directly impacted,” said Sen. Looney. “The Republican federal government is again abdicating its duty to protect Americans, this time by adopting a policy to increase the number of people living on the streets. Our state’s foresight will limit and forestall this new imposition of suffering.”

“In November, our state prepared an emergency response reserve for moments like this, where the Trump administration puts important funding in limbo, and Connecticut residents are left picking up the pieces,” said Sen. Duff. “With temperatures unseasonably low, we are saying loud and clear that people need homes, not to be living outside, braving the elements. The Republican policy to create more homeless people is incomprehensible. I’m grateful for our state’s work to back up our commitments to the people of Connecticut and to help those in harm’s way.”

“As a home care registered nurse, I care for many elderly residents who have lost their homes due to increasing rents,” said Sen. Marx. “If we don’t maintain the programs we have and protect our residents from proposed looming cuts from the Trump administration, this problem will become much more dire.”

“Everyone experiencing housing insecurity has a different story, which makes the need for the Continuum of Care – approaching the full spectrum of issues that can set people back – so important, and the Trump administration’s abdication of duty for that program so disheartening,” said Sen. Anwar. “It’s a relief to know Connecticut is taking direct action to preserve this vital program for so many in need.”