United Way of Connecticut has released its 2020 ALICE report, ALICE in Connecticut: A Financial Hardship Study. ALICE, or Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, provides a metric representing households above the Federal Poverty Level, but below the basic cost of living in Connecticut.

Financial challenges facing households in Connecticut are further exacerbated by the unprecedented public health crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Some key findings from this report include: 

This summer, Partnership for Strong Communities (PSC) began a strategic planning process for the HOMEConnecticut Campaign, with input from existing and new partners.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, personal incomes have plummeted, and there is an increased need for affordable apartments. In this economic climate, it is imperative for the State of Connecticut to do everything in its power to preserve the state's existing stock of affordable and low-cost housing.

On December 3, 2019, the United States Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime announced a grant opportunity regarding housing assistance for victims of all forms of human trafficking. The grant supports the following types of housing assistance:

Kiley Gosselin, Executive Director of the Partnership for Strong Communities, appeared in the Hartford Courant on December 1, 2019. Her op-ed piece, "Connecticut Is a Leader in Ending Homelessness, and Gov. Lamont Can Help Finish the Job," makes the case that sustained state investment in housing resources is necessary to end homelessness and expand housing opportunity in Connecticut.

Our free IForum series will continue in the first quarter of 2020! Click here to stay updated through emails from the Partnership, and you'll be the first to hear about our next IForum!

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) recently released Housing America’s Older Adults 2019. The report reiterates the growing need for affordable housing for older adults across the United States.

The number of households headed by someone 65 years or older continues to rise, increasing from 27 million to 31 million between 2012 and 2017. Likewise, the number of housing cost burdened households above the age of 65 years also continues to rise, currently at an all-time high of 10 million.

Key findings in the report include:

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) is holding a public input period to receive data, views, and comments with respect to its Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, its Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), and its current priorities and policy goals.

The public comment period is open from November 12, 2019 through the close of business December 27, 2019. Written comments may be submitted to Terry Nash by email at PublicComment@chfa.org, or by mail to CHFA, 999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

Click here to view the report.

Alicia Woodsby
Senior Policy Advisor
Partnership for Strong Communities