Emergency Housing

There are services and programs that can help individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness or who otherwise need emergency housing. These services include counseling, information and referral to housing resources and, as a last resort, shelters.

Connecticut created the Coordinated Access Network (CAN) to assist people in need of emergency housing. CAN provides an accessible, standardized assessment and referral process to community resources across eight regions for people experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.

Victims of domestic violence and their children, homeless or at risk of homelessness youth and those in need of transitional housing, can also use CAN to connect with local organizations who offer housing and support services. These services may include an emergency shelter, financial assistance, counseling and a 24-hour hotline.

All people at risk for homelessness are eligible for assistance and assessment. Housing resources are prioritized based on the assessment.

To access CAN, individuals call 2-1-1 and select #3 and #1 to speak to a contact specialist trained to assess individual and family needs to prevent the need for emergency shelter. If a 2-1-1 contact specialist is unable to identify resources, an individual or family will be offered an assessment appointment in a community of their choice.