New Haven outlines winter shelter plan as demand outpaces local capacity

New Haven city staff and local homeless-service providers told the Board of Alders’ Health and Human Services Committee on Oct. 23 that demand for shelter and related services has grown regionally and that planned winter operations will not fully close the gap.

City housing official Chiariza Kent, who presented the Office of Housing and Homelessness winter plan, said New Haven “envisions a city where homelessness is rare, brief and does not occur,” and outlined a mix of shelter, warming centers and prevention efforts the city and partners plan to use between Nov. 15 and April 15.

The presentation cited regional figures from the Coordinated Access Network: a by‑name list of 1,196 people experiencing homelessness and a shelter wait list of about 346 people (296 males, 140 females). Kent told alderpersons New Haven and its partners have opened or will open warming centers, operate four daytime navigation hubs and launched a 24‑hour congregate shelter at 645 Grand Avenue. She also said the city added 12 supportive housing…