Connecticut Looks to Combat Youth Homelessness With Housing Initiative

Personally, I can't even wrap my head around anyone in our great Country dealing with homelessness, much less children. It is, however, a shockingly common thing, and Connecticut is working towards change.

In my opinion, homelessness shouldn't exists in the U.S. and I don't believe I'm alone in thinking that. The sad truth is, it does. Sadder yet, is the amount of children affected. Add to that, the amount of young adults living alone on the streets of Connecticut.

Did you know that November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month? It's shocking to me that we even have a month dedicated to what amounts to a tragedy. Considering Connecticut ranks as one of the wealthiest states in the U.S., it's beyond appalling. Hopefully, change is around the corner. Governor Malloy just put out a press release about the new initiative seeking to end youth homelessness.

According to the press release on CT.gov, the new, first-of-its-kind initiative is designed to build supportive housing for homeless people between the ages of 18 and 24-years-old. Officials say there are around 3,000 people under the age of 25 who are homeless in Connecticut. This new initiative complements existing programs at the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Commissioner, Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, said:

Supportive housing for young adults living with mental illness and substance use disorders provides them with a stable living situation and important supports to help them in their recovery. State agency partnerships that support housing for our most vulnerable citizens maximize resources to support recovery and citizenship

DCF Commissioner Joette Katz had this to say in the press release:

We know from the data and from experience that when young people exit out of care without a permanent family, they are at significantly higher risk for homelessness. This expansion of our very effective supportive housing program will fill a critical need among young adults and help prevent more children entering care as a result of adult homelessness

Here is the Notice of Funding Available for the Youth Housing Initiative.

My prayer is that some day soon we have no need for a National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, because we will have put an end to homelessness.

Listen to Pam Brooks weekdays from 10-3PM on 95.1 FM, online at i95rock.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device.