Connecticut Leaders Take Action on CoC Funding Cliff

This morning in New Haven, the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Governor Ned Lamont, Mayor Justin Elicker, Jim Pettinelli (Liberty Community Services), Meghan Scanlon (CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence), and Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno for a press conference focused on the growing threat to FY 2025 HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) funding.

The purpose of the event was twofold:

1. To call on HUD and Congress to protect FY 2025 CoC funding and ensure these dollars flow into Connecticut, and
2. To announce state gap funding that will protect housing and services while federal decisions are pending.

Although HUD rescinded the FY 2025 CoC NOFO last week and litigation is moving forward, there is still no clear federal path to secure FY 2025 CoC funding. Existing CoC contracts begin expiring in January 2026, creating a funding cliff that could push thousands of people in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH) back into homelessness.

Governor Lamont's Gap Funding Commitment

At the press conference, Governor Lamont announced that his Administration will request $5.28 million from the state’s Emergency Fund to protect 6,500 people in CoC-funded PSH and RRH programs from losing their homes and the support services that keep them stably housed. The plan he will submit to bipartisan legislative leadership would:

• Use the Emergency Fund to cover rent and supportive services through the end of the current fiscal year if a federal funding gap materializes;
• Direct these dollars to providers that receive CoC funding; and
• Structure the allocation as conditional and deobligatable, so it is only used if needed and any unused funds are returned to the state.

Statement from CCEH

HARTFORD – (12/15/2025) – “The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness and the CT CAN End Homelessness campaign are sincerely grateful for Governor Lamont’s decision to honor our gap funding request for $5.28 million from the state’s Emergency Fund, to cover the loss of funds from the federal government. This will be used—if needed—to cover rent and support services through the end of the current fiscal year, services that were previously covered by the federal government. These funds are conditional, will only be used to cover costs that may arise from the Continuum of Care funding gap caused by the federal government’s lapse in funding, and any unused funds will be returned to the state. We are deeply appreciative of Governor Lamont’s efforts to keep our neighbors housed as the cold winter months set in, and we will continue to work with him, his administration, and the legislature in the coming legislative session.”

– Sarah Fox, CEO, Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness

What This Means for Providers

• HUD’s FY 2025 CoC process has created serious uncertainty about whether and when Connecticut will receive its full CoC allocation.
• The Governor’s proposed $5.28 million in state gap funding is designed as a bridge to protect existing housing and services while our Congressional delegation, led by Congresswoman DeLauro, fights to secure FY 2025 CoC funding and renewals.
• The funding is targeted, temporary, and conditional, focused on preventing people from losing their homes because of a federal lapse.

We will keep you updated as:

• The Governor’s proposal moves through the General Assembly; and
• We receive more information from HUD and Congress on FY 2025 CoC funding and timelines.

Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our neighbors safe and housed while we work together to protect these critical resources.

Questions? Contact Katherine Whitney at kwhitney@cceh.org