2026 Legislative Session
Friend,
We need your help!
The Beth-El Center has been on the front lines, responding to homelessness among families, individuals, and veterans across the Greater Milford region (including Milford, Guilford, Branford, North Branford, Northford, East Haven, New Haven, West Haven, Orange, Madison, Derby, Ansonia and Shelton).
In recent years, the crisis has intensified dramatically:
Homelessness in Connecticut has increased by 44% since 2021
Unsheltered homelessness has surged from 294 individuals in 2022 to 833 in 2025—a staggering 183% increase
More than 30% of individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater New Haven area are age 55+, highlighting a growing emergency among seniors.
At Beth-El, we are doing everything we can to meet the need—but demand continues to outpace our capacity.
In just one year:
Demand for our No Freeze shelter services increased by 110%
We can serve only 20 individuals per night, yet we regularly see 65 people seeking shelter with nowhere else to go.
We need your help.
As the Connecticut legislative session continues, critical decisions are being made that will directly impact our ability to serve those in need. We proudly support the CT CAN End Homelessness 2026 Legislative Agenda: Prevent | Respond | House. To the Beth-El Center, this means ensuring that our neighbors in crisis receive the support and resources necessary to regain stability, dignity, and hope.
Please take action today by:
Watch the above video to understand how your leadership can make a difference and share with family and friends (this video can also be found on our Instagram and Facebook for easy sharing... The direct link to the video can also be found by clicking here.)
Call your legislators! (Find Your Legislators by clicking here - C G A - Connecticut General Assembly)
Ask them to support $28.3M to fund the Homeless Response System and the three policy priorities listed below. Then, ask legislators to also speak to their leadership in the House and Senate, and ensure they their leadership is aware of how critical these resources are to our community!
AN ACT CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH: H.B. 5259
AN ACT PROHIBITING A MUNICIPALITY FROM IMPOSING A PENALTY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING: H.B. 5260
AN ACT CONCERNING EXTREME WEATHER PROTOCOLS: S.B. 364
Your voice matters.
Your support can change lives.
Thank you for standing with us.
Jennifer Paradis, MSOL
Executive Director
Beth-El Center, Inc.