As temperatures are expected to plunge into the single digits this week bringing potentially deadly cold conditions, homeless advocates are scrambling to ensure towns across the state can provide shelter to those that are unhoused.
This week’s Arctic blast is known as the Siberian Express, as the air mass originates from Canada. AccuWeather meteorologists say dangerously cold air will rush across the central and eastern U.S. this week. Temperatures are expected to plummet 15 to 25 degrees below the historical average in many areas.
From Sunday night until Friday, temperatures across the state are not expected to reach above freezing, with nightly lows in the single digits. Tuesday night is expected to be the coldest of the week with the possibility for temperatures around 1 degree Fahrenheit, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
“No one should be outside, but especially this week,” said Sarah Fox, executive director for the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. “We’re talking life or death here as temperatures are expected to fall to around zero degrees. I am very worried about this coming week for our unhoused populations.”
On Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont activated Connecticut’s severe cold weather protocol beginning Sunday night as the bitter cold is expected to grip the state. The protocol will go into effect at 6 p.m. on Sunday and remain in effect through noon on Friday, officials said.
Officials said the purpose of the state’s severe cold weather protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the cold, which could be life-threatening if they are exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.
“During this protocol, everyone is working to bring people inside, so no one is left out in the cold,” Fox said. “The message here is that anyone who needs shelter from the cold can receive it during this protocol. But there will be many that remain outside, and I’m very worried about them. We’re dealing with people’s lives here. We need to bring them inside and make sure they have access to warmth.”
A rise in homelessness
The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness estimates there are around 5,000 homeless individuals statewide. Among them, around 900 are experiencing unsheltered homelessness and around 500 are children. This past year, there was a 13% increase in homelessness across the state, Fox said. Among the newly homeless includes 44% of seniors above the age of 65 and children under the age of 18.
“Prior to the pandemic, there was a more steady rate, so if people fell into homelessness, we were able to catch them and quickly identify housing options or alternatives for them,” Fox said. “But that has all changed. And now with the lack of affordable units, lack of housing stock and the impact of inflation, it’s harder than ever. Housing is impacting everyone, even those who are making a decent wage. So we’re seeing an increase in elderly residents on social security and families making over $50,000 a year falling into homelessness.”
Experts say that people are staying in shelters for longer periods and a lack of affordable housing makes it harder. Because of cost of living factors and a shortage of affordable housing, homelessness is expected to continue to rise this year, according to Fox. But it wasn’t always like this, as the state did see a decline in homelessness both prior and during the pandemic.
“We had a decade decrease in homelessness as we organized in the state with our coordinated access networks,” Fox said. “But over the past two years, that has changed and we have seen that number go up due to a confluence of factors. A high cost of living and lack of affordable housing is really the big factor. It’s mostly about economics now.”
Cold weather services
Despite the increase in homelessness, the state only has roughly 650 warming center beds, according to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness.
During the winter, the advocacy group does a biweekly count of unhoused residents. On any given day last winter, more than 1,000 people were unable to find shelter, according to Fox. This year, the estimate is slightly down to 800 due to a new reporting system, but Fox said it’s most likely undercounted.
“Unfortunately people are turned away,” Fox said. “In New Haven, providers are saying there are about 600 to 800 people outside that they are working to bring inside. We know there are people left outside in the cold.”
Warming centers provide cots in a communal setting, often in church halls, community rooms or soup kitchens, according to Fox. Many serve hot or prepackaged meals, but all of them operate on a nightly basis, requiring anyone using them to leave by morning.
Before the pandemic, the state would fund warming centers, but for the past few years, they’ve been funded by COVID relief dollars, which are set to expire next year. This winter is the last that shelters will have to access COVID funds, with about $4 million left before the money runs out.
Fox along with other homeless advocates are scrambling to get state funding, but no guarantee exists. Advocates have asked the state for $33.5 million in funds to stem the state’s homeless crisis. Among that money, $5 million would fund warming centers for next year.
“That money is our legislative ask for investments to prevent homelessness, to ensure a strong and well-staffed crisis response system and for housing stability services through more case management,” Fox said. “We are also asking for $5 million annually to fund our warming centers. We are working very closely with lawmakers, and we need to provide these services and they are critical. I know it’s a tough fiscal situation right now we are in, but this is life or death for many people.”
Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services, or they can visit 211ct.org to read a list of available locations. In addition, several state agencies coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.
Hartford announced on Friday it will be opening up several library branches, the South End Senior Center and Center Church as warming centers.
“We’ve activated the severe cold weather protocol to ensure Hartford residents have easy access to a place they can go to stay warm,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. “If you are in need of shelter over the next few days, please make sure to head to one of these warming centers or call 2-1-1.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
