PLEASE NOTE: CCEH does not provide direct assistance to clients. If you’re experiencing a housing crisis, the first step is to call 2-1-1. All emergency assistance is administered through partner agencies through 2-1-1.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Our shelters are doing everything they can to follow the CDC guidelines of spacing beds 6 feet apart, but the reality is that with current shelter capacity we need to work more quickly than ever to move people out of shelters and into HOMES. CCEH is administering emergency funds to divert clients from shelter and rapidly exit clients from shelter into non-congregate settings during this crisis. For more information on this fund or to become an approved agency, contact us at assistance@cceh.org.

The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) provides emergency funding several funds to approved agencies for emergency housing purposes. If you are an existing provider for one or more of these funds, you will receive updates on funding availability and be given passwords to access the appropriate Emergency Funds Portal which house MOUs, links to Smart Sheets, and Smart Sheets trainings. Agencies with questions or who would like to become an approved agency can contact us at assistance@cceh.org.


be homeful 

Emergency Fund Portal

be homeful is a project designed to help end family homelessness. We know that the most effective way to end homelessness, is to never let it begin in the first place. The program focuses on raising awareness and funds to end family homelessness, providing shelter diversion emergency funding to homeless service providers, and delivering training & technical assistance on shelter diversion best practices.

be homeful fund

To prevent family homelessness through shelter diversion; one-time expenses that mean the difference between whether a family enters the shelter system or is able to remain housed.

How agencies access funds: Funds can be accessed by case workers of agencies who have completed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CCEH, are a part of the Coordinated Access Network (CAN), and whose clients are referred by 2-1-1. This fund has specific requirements and allowable costs listed in the MOU and are focused on resolving a housing crisis. Providers should contact CCEH for more information and to complete an MOU.

Client eligibility: This fund is open to families in custody of minor children who will be assisted through the Coordinated Access Network (CAN). Families will be considered eligible for shelter diversion if the family is:

  • Literally homeless (and not already sheltered).
  • In possession of an eviction notice with an “Execution Date” ordered by the court provided or confirmed by CT Judicial website. (Notice to Quit is not sufficient).
  • Has been forced to leave an unsafe or unsustainable doubled-up situation.
  • Has not already received assistance through the CCEH be homeful Fund, unless approved by CCEH as an exception.

Children in Shelters

Funding availability for this program fluctuates. Providers seeking funds for clients should contact assistance@cceh.org to learn if funding is available at this time. 

The Children in Shelters program provides financial assistance for childcare to homeless families living in emergency shelter or enrolled in a Rapid Re-Housing Program who are seeking employment and/or sustaining employment until they can access the Connecticut’s Care 4 Kids childcare assistance program. CCEH provides resources, training, and technical assistance to increase collaboration between family emergency shelters, transitional housing, domestic violence shelters, early care and education programs, and other mainstream services.

How agencies access funds: Funds can be accessed by case workers of shelter agencies or CT Rapid Re-Housing Program providers who have completed a Children in Shelters application and program agreement with CCEH.

Eligible Costs: Childcare fees at a licensed facility or licensed individual provider and transportation needs, such as bus passes or gas cards to get to and from childcare and/or work. Children in Shelter provides up to eight weeks of assistance to each family.


Hurricane Maria Disaster Response Program

The Hurricane Maria Disaster Response program aims to prevent the homelessness of evacuees currently residing in Connecticut following the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico. This short-term financial assistance is intended for use in shelter diversion or to help evacuees exit from shelter to a permanent housing solution. CCEH provides shelter diversion training for disaster case managers, coordinated entry and shelter staff, and others assisting these evacuees. In addition, CCEH works with 2-1-1 and other statewide leaders to ensure the proper utilization of these funds.

How agencies access funds: Funding through CT Department of Housing has been expended, however there is limited funding available in specific regions. Agencies who have a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with CCEH and have questions, please contact assistance@cceh.org.

Client eligibility: Open to households who have evacuated their place of residence in Puerto Rico due to hurricane Maria in 2017, currently reside in Connecticut, are being assisted through the Coordinated Access Network (CAN) and are:

  • Currently homeless or living in a place unfit for human habitation. OR
  • Facing imminent homelessness within 14 days (including due to being in an unsustainable or inappropriate doubled-up living situation). OR
  • Families or individuals newly identified or previously identified as a Hurricane Maria Evacuee who are currently in shelter. OR
  • Families or individuals newly identified or previously identified as a Hurricane Maria Evacuee who are presenting for shelter. OR
  • Families or individuals newly identified or previously identified as a Hurricane Maria Evacuee who are seeking housing assistance for a housing crisis through 211 and are doubled or tripled up and can no longer remain where they are living. AND
  • Has ability to sustain housing after receiving assistance. AND
  • Has not already received assistance through the Fund.

Youth Diversion & Rapid Exit Program

Emergency Fund Portal

This program is part of the new Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program , a nationally competitive grant Connecticut was awarded in 2018. The Youth Diversion & Rapid Exit Program is designed to deliver housing-based services to clients defined as youth at immediate risk of homelessness or in need of shelter rapid exit services. As a part of this program, CCEH coordinates the Youth Coordinated Entry Learning Collaborative, provides program oversight, and training and technical assistance for HQS inspections, shelter diversion, outreach, STRIVE, and other topics as needed.

How agencies access funds: Funds can be accessed by staff of agencies who have completed an MOU with CCEH, are a part of the Coordinated Access Network (CAN), and whose clients are referred by 2-1-1. This fund has specific requirements and allowable costs listed in the MOU and are focused on resolving a housing crisis. Providers should contact CCEH for more information and to complete an MOU.

Client eligibility: Youth who will be assisted through the Coordinated Access Network (CAN). Youth will be considered eligible for shelter diversion if they are:

  • Literally homeless (or in shelter as detailed in the housing stabilization summary). OR
  • In possession of an eviction notice with an “Execution Date” ordered by the court provided or confirmed by CT Judicial website. (Notice to Quit is not sufficient). OR
  • Forced to flee an unsafe or unsustainable doubled-up situation. OR
  • If a client presents having left a doubled up situation that is safe, Diversion Specialist should work with that client to facilitate return to that housing. AND
  • Have not already received assistance through the CCEH Youth Diversion Fund, unless approved by CCEH as an exception.