Connecticut’s latest homelessness data reveal a modest but notable rise in the number of children and youth seeking emergency shelter services. According to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, more than 970 children accessed shelters in 2026, up from 928 in 2025 and 844 in 2024. An additional 365 young adults ages 18 to 24 also used these services this year.
Limited shelter capacity for minors
Stacey Violante Cote, director of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, warned that the state’s shelter infrastructure for minors remains woefully thin. “It’s unsafe that we have minors that don’t have a place to go if they are kicked out of their house, or if they leave home,” she said, referencing the recent closure of the New Haven‑based Youth Continuum, which left only two youth shelters operating in the state, both located in Fairfield County.
Family cost pressures drive demand
Sarah Fox, chief executive of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, linked the increase to rising living costs and broader family financial strain. “All of these issues impacting our families have a direct impact on youth, and I do think that there’s a lot of areas that we need to focus on, including having resources ready for youth,” Fox explained.
School‑based counts exceed shelter figures
The Connecticut Department of Education counts homelessness more broadly than the federal HUD definition, including students who are “doubled up” with relatives or staying on a couch. In the 2025‑26 school year, about 4,800 students were identified as experiencing homelessness, roughly 1% of the state’s student population. This figure is slightly lower than the 5,100 reported for 2024‑25, though officials caution the change may reflect under‑counting rather than a true decline.
Fox noted that school‑based data rely on students self‑reporting to school staff, meaning many families may still be invisible to the system. “We need to focus on housing and stability earlier and make sure that young people and families are connected to resources faster, so we can prevent housing instability,” she said.
Barriers for doubly‑up families and foster‑care youth
Violante Cote highlighted that many state assistance programs require a person to be literally homeless—living on the streets or in a shelter—before aid can be accessed. This requirement can leave children who are merely doubled up, or those aging out of foster care, without needed support.
Calls for expanded resources
Both advocates and policymakers are urging the state to expand shelter capacity and streamline eligibility criteria for assistance. While the current shelter network is limited, the increase in youth shelter usage underscores a growing need for targeted resources that protect vulnerable families and uphold the safety of Connecticut’s children.
As the state continues to grapple with housing affordability, advocates stress the importance of early intervention, community partnerships, and faith‑based organizations stepping in to fill gaps where government services fall short.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
