State grant will help Portland fight homelessness

PORTLAND — The town has received nearly $307,000 from the state to help fight homelessness in both the town and the region.

The funds were part of an overall $3.4 million state program intended to deal with “homeless shelter improvements, homeless prevention services, and financial assistance for low-income residents atrisk of becoming homeless,” according to a statement released by Gov. Ned Lamont in announcing the grants.

“These grants will be used to ensure the supports are in place for those who are on the verge of becoming homeless and we can rapidly respond to the situations they are facing,” Lamont said.

Portland is one of nine towns to receive the grants through a competitive process.

Other towns include Groton, Guilford, Stonington, Torrington and Westport.

“This funding increases the capacity to prevent, prepare, and respond to housing needs and pandemic precautions,” state Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said.

Portland will work with

other cities and towns, various nonprofits, and the Department of Housing to address the issue of homelessness, First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said. Specifically, the town will partner with the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness through the Meriden, Middlesex and Wallingford Coordinated Access Network.

While homelessness in Portland may not be as visible as in larger cities, Bransfield said, the prob

lem does exist.

Some homeless residents camp out in the Riverfront Park, while others retreat to caves along the old Air Line Trail, she said.

In some instances, the problem of homelessness is complicated by mental health and/or addiction issues, she added.

“And with COVID-19 pandemic, the problem is even (more) difficult right now,” Bransfield said.

The grants will provide critical assistance to many

who have been affected by the pandemic, Lamont said in announcing the awards.

“Having a safe and secure place to call home is a critical component of responding to this public health crisis,” the governor said.

“Several of the grants will be used for shelter diversion programs, which aim to prevent homelessness by helping those in need of shelter to identify alternate housing arrangements,” state officials said,

adding, “This prevents the need for entering shelter, and creates a pathway toward long-term housing stability.”

The state’s larger cities — Bridgeport, New Britain, and New Haven — already have received funding to address homelessness, Bransfield said. But municipalities with a population of fewer than 50,000 people had to apply for a grant in a competition.

Portland’s application was compiled by Dale

Kroop, a grant writer, and by Bransfield and her executive secretary, Michelle Ceppaglia.

“I consider this very important work,” Bransfield said in thanking Kroop and Ceppaglia for their help in crafting the application and the state for awarding Portland the money.

“It’s my hope that we can really make a difference with it,” she said.