Gales Ferry -- November 30, 2006 … Southeastern Connecticut has four times the national average of people who are chronically homeless. That translates into 35-40% of homeless people overall, or about 500 people, one-third of whom are children. When the Ten-Year Plan to end homelessness launched in April, 2006 it was just one week after the death of Bill Walsh in the woods of Waterford. Six months later after the recent passing of Danny Worobel in the very same woods, the Plan was unveiled to the public. It is dedicated to these two men.

Community leaders presented the region’s Ten-Year Plan to end homelessness today at United Way offices in Gales Ferry. The packed house comprised political leaders, clergy, volunteers, social service agency representatives as well as many service recipients and concerned residents. The presentation outlined the highlights of the plan: the addition of more supportive, permanent housing units; a seamless coordination of the safety net of community services, and increased access to income and/or employment services. In addition, the plan stresses the importance of public awareness and dissemination of information.

The presentation began with Erica, a young woman who lived for three years on the streets and is now living in a subsidized apartment in New London. “I don’t have to live on the street anymore. I can provide for my children…Next week,” she said as tears began to well in her eyes, “I will decorate a Christmas tree for the very first time for my children.”

The plan, Next Step, Home, was praised by Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. He noted that the mission of the group was “to bring an end to the moral and spiritual and human disgrace in Southeastern Connecticut of homelessness.”

But “it’s one thing to have a plan. It’s another thing to implement it,” Mr. Mangano noted. “You’ve got people who will make this happen” in this community. Mr. Mangano went on to praise the number of political leaders who were present at the unveiling stressing the importance of involvement at this level to create lasting, sustainable change on the homelessness issue.

Ten-Year Plans have been implemented in 283 cities and towns across the country and the strides being made are impressive. In the New England area, Quincy, MA has experienced a 20% reduction in the number of homeless while Nashua, NH has seen a reduction of 40% since implementing their Ten-Year Plans. From Boston to San Diego, communities are experiencing double-digit decreases in the homeless population, shelters are being closed, and taxpayers are spending less money on the problems related to homelessness.

In fact, the cost comparisons of services for people who are homeless are staggering. One homeless individual in the study costs $50,000 in ambulance services and hospital detoxification. Another person who is currently living in supportive housing costs just $10,000.

Permanent, supportive housing is considered by national experts to be the most efficient solution to long-term homelessness and is one of the priorities of the Ten-Year Plan. Residents hold their own lease and have access to services such as case management and mental health counseling which are often provided on-site. The success of supportive housing is well-documented and numerous studies have shown that it results in increased levels of stability among the residents.

Our region’s Ten-Year Plan was co-chaired by Janet Pearce, then-president of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and Andrew Maynard, Warden in the Borough of Stonington and Vice Chair of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments. More than fifty people were involved in the plan, serving on one of the three subcommittees: Housing; Safety Net; and Employment and Income. Clear and measurable goals and outcomes are presented in the Plan with an initial plan of action surrounding these three major areas.

Download the plan. Scroll down to the 'Publications' section of this page. Please note this is a large document (3 MB) in Adobe Acrobat Reader format.