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Priority Bill Updates
We are pleased to share that the majority of our priority bills through the CT CAN End Homelessness campaign have advanced!
In addition to outreach on funding, we encourage you to let your legislators know that you support the following bills. We will update you on their progress throughout the rest of legislative session:
H.B. 5235, An Act Concerning a Plan and Coordinated Response to Persons Experiencing Homelessness on Property Under the Control of The Department of Transportation.
Why It's Important: This bill calls for a coordinated, humane, and housing-focused response when individuals are living on DOT property. We must ensure Connecticut leads with outreach, case management, and housing solutions, not displacement without alternatives.
Voted out of Transportation Committee with amendments!
H.B. 5396, An Act Concerning Affordable Housing Development on Certain Land Owned by a Religious Organizations
Why It's Important: This bill would ensure that when a faith community applies to build housing on its property, the process is predictable and time-bound in every Connecticut town.
Voted out of Planning & Development Committee!
H.B. 5260, An Act Prohibiting a Municipality from Imposing a Penalty for the Performance of Certain Activities of Daily Living
Why It's Important: H.B. 5260 would correct the harm done by the Supreme Court in Johnson v. Grants Pass, a decision in 2024 which allows state and municipalities to arrest, ticket, or fine people sheltering in public spaces while unhoused -- even when there is no other option.
Voted out of Housing Committee!
S.B. 364, An Act Concerning Extreme Weather Protocols.
Why It's Important: This bill would require state agencies to develop standardized and more responsive extreme weather protocols for heat, cold, and severe weather. The recent string of cold-weather emergency activation periods underscores the risks to health and safety of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Voted out of Public Health Committee!
H.B. 5259, An Act Concerning the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Why It's Important: More than 5,000 Connecticut students are experiencing homelessness, and the federal protections that keep them enrolled, transported, and supported are increasingly uncertain. H.B. 5259 safeguards educational stability by codifying McKinney-Vento rights in state law so students can stay connected to school no matter what happens federally.
Voted out of Housing Committee!
H.B. 5160, An Act Appropriating Funds to Assist Homeless Persons
Why It's Important: Like H.B. 5032, which we testified on in the Appropriations Subcommittees on Planning & Development and Health, this bill requests funding for the homeless response system. Passing it out of committee shows that Housing Committee membership support increased funding for the work we do.
Voted out of Housing Committee!
Partner Bill Updates
ACTION ITEM: Submit Written Testimony in Support of H.B. 5506, An Act Concerning Accessory Dwelling Units!
Why It's Important: H.B. 5506 will bolster ADU production across Connecticut by simplifying the local permitting process, lowering the cost of building, and expanding economic options for homeowners with ADUs.
S.B. 257 An Act Concerning Evictions for Cause
Why It's Important: In Connecticut, landlords can evict renters by refusing to renew a lease, even if the tenant pays rent on time and does everything else “right”. Broadening Just Cause is a no-cost, effective policy to reduce evictions and provide greater security to tenants which in turn reduces homelessness.
Voted out of Public Health Committee!
H.B. 5370, An Act Establishing a Medical Respite Pilot Program
Why It's Important: This pilot would serve at least 150 people experiencing homelessness whose medical needs do not require hospitalization, but who still need supportive care during medical treatment.
Voted out of Housing Committee!
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