Westport Honored For Efforts To End Homelessness

Westport is justifiably proud of the work our Housing Authority and Homes with Hope does to improve the lives of neighbors in need.

Now the whole state will know.

The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness is honoring those 2 organizations, and the Town of Westport, with its 2024 Community Champions Award.

It will be presented on June 12, at the Hartford Convention Center. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Nichelle Carver, senior regional advisor at the US Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The application for the award demonstrates the depth and breadth of Westport’s commitment to addressing homelessness. It says:

“The Town of Westport, in collaboration with the Westport Housing Authority and Homes with Hope, embodies the essence of the Community Champions Award by championing innovative practices, fostering broad collaboration, and developing creative solutions to address homelessness.

“Its collective leadership and frontline staff have not only transformed the lives of the homeless population but have also set a commendable example for suburban affluent communities around the country. Through ongoing collaboration with Opening Doors Fairfield County and The Coordinated Access Network, hundreds of homeless families are housed successfully in Westport and surrounding towns receiving ongoing case management and residential support to ensure they remain housed permanently.

“Westport is more than just a town; it’s a vibrant community teeming with innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to progress.

“As a beacon of excellence in endorsing housing for all, Westport stands out for its remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact. Over the past 40 years, Westport Housing Authority, Homes with Hope, and the Town of Westport have become leaders in making steadfast changes to meet the needs of the homeless and those with housing insecurity throughout Fairfield County.

“The Town of Westport was the first municipality to secure Diversion funding from HUD for the Coordinated Access System to support Fairfield County’s homeless providers. Westport has worked hard to secure this funding and be a part of Opening Doors Fairfield County’s solution to ending homelessness.

“The Town of Westport has also advocated for and successfully secured funding through the Department of Housing to renovate the Gillespie Center’s Emergency Homeless Shelter and food pantry. They have secured funding for a single-room occupancy model on another Town Property to provide housing with priority for 18- to 24-year-old homeless women. These 3 agencies continue to advocate for affordable housing and services to support the Coordinated Access Network.

The Gillespie Center, now under renovation. 

“During the needed renovations of both the Gillespie Center and Project Return/Susie’s House, the Town of Westport and the Westport Housing Authority have stepped forward again and pitched in to provide temporary shelter and a food pantry free of charge to ensure that operations continue without interruption and that those with food and housing insecurity continue to be fed and housed. They have organized community and statewide rallies and speaking arrangements to highlight the importance of suburban towns advocating for what is often thought of as a city problem which, as we all know, it is not.

“With top-notch schools, dynamic arts programs, and diverse cultural events, the town ensures that every individual can learn, grow, and contribute to the fabric of society. By investing in the next generation and promoting cultural exchange, Westport is shaping a brighter future for all. The Westport Housing Authority provides a sleep-away camp (Camp Funtastic) for the children they serve during the summer school break.  This opportunity provides an experience unique for the children at no cost.

“Westport Housing Authority provides residential services to individually support the residents and collaborate with onsite services to ensure that each family has what it needs to be successful in their new town and home; this is a unique model and has proven to be very successful.

“Collaboratively this group provides food gift cards, shopping cards, and a food pantry to the most vulnerable families in Westport.

“Data is proving that the homeless families coming into Westport are adjusting well and the second generations are graduating high school and attending prestigious colleges and universities therefore ending the cycles of homelessness through education and earned income.

“During a rally in 2021, Jim Marpe, Westport’s past first selectman, presented a proclamation declaring the Town of Westport’s call to action supporting Homes with Hope and Westport Housing Authority’s efforts to end homelessness. This is the first local suburban municipality to take such bold action supporting the homeless.

“Once homeless families get housed in Westport, the agencies collaboratively do everything needed to help them adjust to their new surroundings including providing needed case management and residential support to ensure that they thrive in the wonderful Westport School System.

“It takes a village and this sure is a unique one! For over 40 years, Westport has been leading the way for small affluent towns to follow suite and donate municipal property to be used to support the homeless.

“In addition, Homes with Hope has created an Affordable Housing Advisory Council to further demonstrate its commitment to fostering sustainable solutions and community involvement. Its efforts align perfectly with the values of this award.

“Every month, this Affordable Housing Advisory Council, collaboratively with the Town of Westport and Westport Housing Authority, engages with expert housing speakers to educate the community on housing topics to ensure that they have support for public meetings and statewide advocacy events including Rallies.

“Also, its work focuses on educating Planning & Zoning Committees about the importance of housing for all and ways they can help with changing housing Planning and Zoning rules. Members of the group attended the recent CCEH rally at the Capital, and will continue to lean in to support all such efforts until the day we have housing for all.

“Homes with Hope, Westport Housing Authority, and The Town of Westport are certainly worthy of this recognition for impactful work which significantly enhances the delivery of housing and services with the outcome of improving the lives of those experiencing homelessness throughout Fairfield County.

“In conclusion, these 3 agencies embody the spirit of excellence and community that The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness seeks to honor. With its unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, the entire Westport Community has truly earned recognition as a model town deserving of this prestigious award.