United Way of Connecticut/211 to Resume 24/7 Homeless Crisis Line on December 1

To respond effectively to Connecticut residents facing homelessness or an imminent housing crisis, and with the support of additional funding appropriated in the state’s biennium budget, United Way of Connecticut/211 will resume 24-hour service, seven days a week on the 211 Housing Crisis Line as of December 1, 2023,  s winter’s cold temperatures begin to arrive.

The round-the-clock access replaces daily hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, in effect since last November.  According to data provided by United Way of Connecticut, there were more than 157,000 housing crisis calls to 211 during 2022, with approximately half of those calls from residents who describe themselves as homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness.

The 211 CT housing team helps resolve crisis calls over the phone whenever possible by helping callers to problem-solve and connecting them to resources that might provide the support needed, like emergency food or utility bill assistance.

The mission of United Way of Connecticut 211 is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services. 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people to essential health and human services.

For those who need emergency shelter or similar assistance, the 211 CT team refers callers to partners at the local community level for intake and support. Seven local teams across the state, called “Coordinated Access Networks,” comprised of emergency shelter and housing providers and their local partners, provide intake to shelter, assistance to find housing, and additional supports.

“The 24/7 Housing Crisis line connects residents with a real person who is both compassionate and knowledgeable about resources to help meet their needs. We look forward to continuing to support residents facing a housing crisis with individualized service, one phone call at a time,” said Lisa Tepper Bates, President & CEO of United Way of CT/211.

“We thank the bipartisan leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly, the co-chairs and ranking members of the Appropriations Committee, and Governor Lamont for their commitment to reestablish the 24/7 Homeless Crisis Line, and the Department of Housing for their cooperation to ensure that the Homeless Crisis line remains in operation 24/7,” she added.

This partnership is part of Connecticut’s statewide, coordinated system of nonprofits, state agencies, faith communities and partners, established a decade ago in 2012, to support residents facing homelessness or a housing crisis.

Funded and managed largely by the state of Connecticut Department of Housing, with support from federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this massive effort has yielded results for Connecticut by maximizing the impact of existing resources to help those in need, officials point out.

The 211 Housing Crisis Team will also be available 24/7 to help unsheltered residents when the Governor declares a Cold Weather Protocol during dangerously low temperatures or severe winter storm conditions.

In order to best focus efforts on helping people who have no shelter and will otherwise be on the street or in a place unfit for human habitation, as well as those facing homelessness at present or in the next 14 days, callers seeking information on rental assistance, affordable housing options, Section 8 vouchers, or other renter or housing supports will be directed to recorded information and to the 211 website at 211CT.org, according to United Way of Connecticut officials.