SHARE

Connecticut Housing and Homelessness Crisis

Connecticut faces an acute housing crisis characterized by rising homelessness, insufficient affordable housing stock, and widespread housing cost burden. Understanding the scale and nature of this crisis is essential to demonstrating the need for SHARE’s services.

  • Homeless Population Growth: Connecticut’s homeless population has increased for four consecutive years, with the January 2025 Point-in-Time count identifying 3,735 people experiencing homelessness statewide, up from 3,410 in January 2024 (9.5% increase). Advocates report the homeless services system operates at approximately 20% of needed capacity.
  • Housing Transitions: As of FY 2023-2024, 1,390 households were enrolled in Rapid Re-Housing programs and 5,558 households in Permanent Supportive Housing programs statewide. Each household transitioning from homelessness or shelter to permanent housing requires complete household furnishings. Connecticut has added 425 permanent housing and rapid re-housing beds in 2025, bringing total capacity to 10,293 beds. Demand continues to exceed supply.
  • Housing Shortage: Connecticut faces a shortage of 130,000 housing units, creating pressure across the entire housing market and resulting in frequent housing transitions, displacement, and instability.
  • Domestic Violence: The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) serves 18,000+ individuals annually through 18 member organizations statewide. Approximately 705 individuals per year receive domestic violence rapid re-housing assistance, requiring complete household furnishings as they flee abusive situations with minimal possessions.
  • Fire and Disaster: Connecticut experiences 2,500-3,000+ residential fires annually. The American Red Cross Connecticut responds to house fires multiple times daily, providing immediate emergency assistance, but longer-term furnishing needs often remain unmet, particularly for lower-income households without adequate insurance coverage.
  • Evictions: Eviction filings create significant housing transitions requiring household furnishing assistance. New Haven consistently ranks among Connecticut’s top cities for eviction filings, with the SHARE service area experiencing 1,500-2,000+ eviction filings annually.
  • Geographic Service Gap – Eastern Shoreline Underserved

The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut in Gales Ferry is inland New London County, not effectively positioned to serve the Middlesex County shoreline (Clinton, Westbrook) or even efficiently serve the New Haven County shoreline (Madison, Guilford, Branford, East Haven, New Haven). Journey Home’s “A Hand Up” program in West Hartford is 30-45+ minutes from the SHARE service area, too distant for efficient service delivery. No furniture bank currently operates with primary focus on the 8-town eastern shoreline corridor.

  • Scope of Service Gap – Full Households

The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut now provides only beds, cribs, and mattresses—a significantly reduced scope from full household furnishings. Clients transitioning to permanent housing need complete household setups: beds AND seating AND tables AND kitchenware AND linens AND lamps. The service reduction at Furniture Bank SE CT means families receive beds but still face empty homes.

  • Capacity Gap – Demand Exceeds Supply

Historical data shows the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut received 650+ requests but could only serve 250 families (38% fulfillment rate). With Connecticut’s homeless population rising 9.5% year-over-year and housing instability increasing across all measured categories, demand for furniture assistance far exceeds current supply. An estimated 1,000-1,500+ households annually need furniture assistance in the SHARE service area alone.

  • Value-Added Gap – Repair And Restoration

SHARE’s emphasis on skilled carpentry repairs and restoration differentiates the organization from existing furniture banks. Many donated items need minor repairs (wobbly chairs, loose drawer pulls, scratched surfaces) before they’re suitable for client homes. SHARE’s repair capability transforms marginal donations into quality assets, increasing the usable donation pool and ensuring clients receive functional, dignified furnishings.

  • Economic Disparity Creates Local Opportunity

The dramatic income inequality within the SHARE service area (Madison’s $168,341 median income vs. New Haven’s $53,771) creates an ideal furniture circulation ecosystem. Affluent shoreline towns generate steady furniture donations through estate downsizing, home refreshes, and planned giving, while need concentrates just miles away in New Haven and East Haven. SHARE’s local focus captures this hyperlocal circular economy.

  • Conclusion: Documented, Unmet Need

The combination of rising housing instability (45% increase in homelessness, 130,000-unit housing shortage, thousands of fire displacements and evictions), concentrated demand in the SHARE service area (1,000-1,500+ households annually), and significant gaps in existing service (geographic reach, scope of service, capacity constraints) demonstrates clear, documented need for SHARE’s services. SHARE will serve an underserved geography with full household furnishings and repair services that existing programs do not provide.

Share Service Area Demographics

The 8-town SHARE service area (Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Branford, North Branford, East Haven, New Haven) encompasses approximately 267,800 residents across 106,600 households. Detailed demographic analysis reveals significant disparities that drive demand for furniture bank services:

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

  • New Haven: 137,562 (51.4% of service area)
  • East Haven: 27,953 (10.4%)
  • Branford: 28,448 (10.6%)
  • Guilford: 22,264 (8.3%)
  • Madison: 17,688 (6.6%)
  • Clinton: 13,467 (5.0%)
  • North Branford: 13,551 (5.1%)
  • Westbrook: 6,881 (2.6%)

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (showing economic disparity)

  • Madison: $168,341
  • Guilford: $134,388
  • Westbrook: $116,027
  • Branford: $100,571
  • Clinton: $96,630
  • North Branford: $91,346
  • East Haven: $86,498
  • New Haven: $53,771

POVERTY RATES (% of population below poverty line)

  • New Haven: 25.0%
  • East Haven: 8.0%
  • Westbrook: 4.0%
  • Clinton: 3.7%
  • North Branford: 3.4%
  • Branford: 3.1%
  • Madison: 1.5%
  • Guilford: 1.9%