Housing resources
Homeless Services
Danbury (Greater Danbury area)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you, or someone you know, is at risk of having to leave their home and having nowhere to stay, please dial 2-1-1 and press Option 3 to speak with a 2-1-1 Housing Crisis Specialist. The line is open daily 24 hours a day.
Catholic Charities’ Danbury Homeless Services include a variety of trauma-informed support programs that employ the Housing First model and provide wraparound services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless, or have been identified as chronically homeless. Each year, the Homeless Services team assists more than 500 households comprising all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities as they work to prevent homelessness or resolve it as quickly as possible. The Homeless Services team also works closely with our many partner agencies in Danbury and throughout Fairfield County to ensure that clients receive appropriate referrals and timely services. All referrals to Catholic Charities’ Homeless Services programs are conducted through 2-1-1.
Services
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County cannot directly place people in housing; all individuals must be referred to our supportive services through 2-1-1.
Homeless Outreach/PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Outreach and Engagement
Funded by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), our Outreach programs canvas in areas where unsheltered individuals might be found and engage with those experiencing homelessness, meeting them wherever they are. We work to get those we serve eligible and prepared for housing opportunities as quickly as possible, and connect them to necessary resources, including: shelter; health insurance, SNAP, and other benefits; identifying document replacement; behavioral health services; substance use disorder treatment; and employment training and placement services.
Homeless-to-Housing (H2H)
Our H2H Specialist assists clients experiencing homelessness and living with mental health and/or substance use disorders move through every step of the homeless services system. From initial outreach and engagement, through coordination of additional services and becoming eligible for housing opportunities, through housing stabilization and ongoing case management, our H2H Specialist is there to ensure that a client is able to stay connected to a consistent source of support throughout their journey.
CAN Navigation and Diversion
Our CAN Navigator and Diversion Specialist conduct appointments and complete comprehensive interview-style assessments with those experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. Wherever possible, we work to prevent those at risk of homelessness from needing to enter the homeless services system by developing innovating solutions and helping clients utilize their existing resources and natural supports. When a client is experiencing homelessness, we work to help them resolve their crisis as quickly as possible.
SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery)
Our certified SOAR Specialist assists individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and living with serious mental illness and/or other disabling conditions in applying for Social Security SSI and SSDI benefits. The SOAR Specialist reviews medical records, conducts interviews, and writes a comprehensive personal history for each client as part of their Social Security application and communicates with the Social Security Administration on their behalf throughout the process in order to help eligible clients access these life-changing benefits.
Housing Coordination
Our Housing Coordinator assists eligible individuals experiencing homelessness in navigating the housing search and application process, addressing barriers to stable housing, and securing an appropriate unit. Additionally, our Housing Coordinator conducts outreach and engagement to local landlords and property managers to increase awareness of the many benefits of working with housing voucher programs.
For assistance, dial 2-1-1.
A Community’s Role in Rebuilding Lives
Discover how Mr. Wilson rebuilt his life with the support of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County’s Housing Case Management Program. Facing challenges, including past mistakes and personal struggles, he found hope and guidance. Follow his journey as he navigates adversity, pursues education, and secures stable housing, showcasing the transformative power of community support.
Rebuilding Lives: Empowering Futures through Housing Case Management
After facing several challenges including homelessness, Mr. McNeill was matched with the CCR program. CCR offers strengths-based case management and permanent housing for individuals with histories of chronic homelessness and incarceration. With the support of this program, Mr. McNeill found a lifeline in Catholic Charities.
Celebrating Success and Community at Merton Homes in 2023
Merton Homes proudly welcomed Marisol Ruiz-Shanley as the new case manager in December 2022, and her impactful work has resonated positively with clients and the community since then. This article is a heartfelt recap of the remarkable successes and accomplishments achieved by Merton Homes residents throughout 2023.
