NEW LONDON HOMELESS HOSPITALITY CENTER INC

Our goals are to provide a place of hospitality and shelter for adults experiencing homelessness in Southeastern CT. We also want to ensure that shelter stays are as brief as possible, and that our guests are rehoused in under 30 days. We want to help people address the underlying causes of homelessness (poverty, addiction issues, mental health issues, etc.), so that the individuals we serve can escape homelessness and remain permanently housed. Where possible, we want to help individuals find alternatives to entering the shelter, but utilizing diversionary services to connect individuals with programs to address underlying issues, or identify family, or friends with whom they can stay.

-Diverting individuals from shelter when possible by helping individuals find an alternative to entering shelter (staying with family, finding a sober house, entering a treatment program).

-Offering emergency shelter services to those who cannot be diverted. Offering hospitality and hope to adults experiencing homelessness in southeastern Connecticut.

-Providing one-on-one supports needed to help people address the underlying issues that led to their homelessness

-Offering practical supports, such as employment assistance, transportation, prescription co-pays, work clothes, replacement ID's, etc...

-Helping individuals locate affordable, rental housing. Assisting guests with first month's rent and security deposit.

-Owning and maintaining properties that allow us to provide affordable rental units.

-Providing a 7 bed respite center where guests with chronic or acute medical needs can recuperate.

-During the winter months, offering a warming center where individuals experiencing homelessness can find a warm, safe place to sleep even when our shelter is full.

-Well-trained and compassionate staff members who provide trauma informed services to guests.

-We have a 40 bed shelter and 7 bed respite area located at 730 State Pier Rd. in New London. In 2019, we opened our expanded Help Center and improved respite area.

-We connect with community partners, so that services are not duplicated.

The roots of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center date back to 2006, when 2 homeless men died from the harsh winter conditions after New London eliminated its social service department. Community leaders came together and formed the Homeless Hospitality Center to provide emergency shelter for adults in New London County. Prior to 2013, HHC operated in temporary quarters in downtown New London. In 2013, HHC moved to its current location at 730 State Pier Rd. in New London, CT. In June of 2019, we opened our expanded Help Center and an improved Respite Center. We continue to focus our efforts on our diversion efforts (finding alternatives to shelter for those who are homeless, such as staying with family or friends or going to a sober house) and our rapid rehousing efforts (making sure that guests find permanent housing as quickly as possible). For those who do come into shelter, our goal is to have those individuals rehoused as quickly as possible.

We work with dozens of community partners to make sure that our guests are receiving the full extent of services and help they need without duplicating services in the community.