Half of Eastern CT’s Homeless Population Resides in Norwich
Norwich is taking steps to support its homeless population, but more resources are needed to ensure everyone has a safe place to stay
Norwich, Connecticut, Homelessness, Emergency Shelter, Reliance Health, St. Vincent de Paul
Norwich: The city recently opened a new emergency no-freeze shelter on December 21. But what’s happening for those without a roof when the shelter isn’t open?
According to the Eastern Connecticut Coordinated Access Network, around 79 homeless individuals are in Norwich. That’s about half of the unsheltered folks in all of eastern Connecticut.
Since the shelter opened, it’s been running for a few nights. The first night saw 14 people, then 10, and finally 15 on the third night. It can accommodate 25 people, but there’s a bit of wiggle room, as Thames Valley Center for Community Action CEO Josh Kelly mentioned.
People have been grateful to find a warm place to sleep, and the operation has gone smoothly so far. But here’s the catch: the shelter only has $25,000, which is enough for just 12-15 nights a season. It can only open when the governor declares a cold weather emergency. They’re hoping to secure more funding, aiming for around $150,000 like the New London Homeless Hospitality Center gets each year.
There are other nonprofits in the area, like St. Vincent de Paul Place and Reliance Health, that help the unsheltered. St. Vincent de Paul provides food and showers, while Reliance Health connects people to various resources, including shelters and supportive housing.
One inspiring story is that of Yolanda Clark, who faced homelessness for a few months due to mental health challenges. Thanks to Reliance Health, she found an apartment and is now looking forward to volunteering in her community.
Yolanda’s journey was tough. She became homeless in April and lived in a tent until September. With help from Reliance Health, she secured a grant-funded apartment in September and signed a lease in December. She’s grateful for the stability in her life now.
She believes that the state needs to invest more in shelter spaces, as Norwich has plenty of buildings that could be used. Yolanda emphasizes the importance of nonprofits, saying, “Without them, we would be nowhere.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to receive disability benefits in 2025 and give back by volunteering. She’s thankful for her apartment and wishes for more people to find housing, as being outdoors is tough.
There are many misconceptions about homelessness. Anyone can find themselves in that situation due to debt or medical issues. Kindness and understanding are crucial when approaching the unhoused population.
Both Kelly and Dyer stress that increasing housing availability is key to ending homelessness. Norwich has older factory buildings that could be converted into affordable housing, but the costs involved can be a barrier.
Clark also pointed out how background checks can hinder people from finding homes. Organizations need to build trust with the homeless community to help them feel safe receiving assistance.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Where do the homeless in Norwich go for food, showers, shelter?