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United Way > Success Stories > Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network

Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network


Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network

An example of the effectiveness of the way our system works come from one family who was recently served by the Coordinate Access Network. A family was brought to our attention when they called 211 reporting that they had been sleeping in their car with their three children. The family had been through a lot over the last couple of years. Their first homeless experience was staying in a garage in Connecticut with no heat or hot water. Through the CAN, they were able to find shelter and obtain housing with assistance from a Rapid Rehousing Program (time-limited rental assistance and services). After eight months in the program, the family was still unable to pay rent on their own. While there were no supportive housing units large enough to support this household, the CAN was able to refer them for a Section 8 housing voucher. The household was awarded a Section 8 voucher and with that assistance, and the support from ongoing services, has been able to maintain permanent housing. The family received all of their home furnishings through our Making a House a Home program. When one of the children saw his new bed, he cried, “WOW, I finally have a bed to sleep in.” Something that is so basic, is a thing of beauty and celebration to a child who has been experiencing homelessness. These are the moments that keep us doing the work that we do.

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