Last Friday, DESK hosted a press conference at our Drop-in & Resource Center on behalf of the Greater New Haven Regional Alliance to End Homelessness and as part of a statewide coordinated day of advocacy with the CT Coalition to End Homelessness. There was an excellent turnout of clients, staff, volunteers, supporters, elected officials, and media. Several of us spoke about the need for state legislators to commit to including in the state budget at least $5 million in cold weather response funding in the upcoming budget negotiations this winter. This year’s warming centers in New Haven are largely funded through emergency funding that was cobbled together in a very last-minute manner. Going forward, we should be able to count on the state to ensure sufficient life-saving services for unhoused people, especially during the coldest months.
Check out some of the media coverage of the event: