About the Nonprofit
Visit Our Website
Columbus House opened its doors in 1982 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to provide shelter for homeless men and women at least 18 years of age. Since that time, the agency has expanded its mission and programs dramatically. Today, we provide not only shelter but also housing assistance, case management services, and innovative programs that meet the changing needs of those experiencing homelessness.
Columbus House serves people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk by providing life-saving outreach, shelter and housing and by fostering their personal growth and independence. We advocate for and create affordable housing to end homelessness in our communities.
Our vision for our impact is to end homelessness in our communities by increasing the number of available housing options to house those experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk.
We envision:
• Emergency help including shelter is readily available and easy to access for those with an immediate need.
• Clients use supports that fit their needs to move quickly into viable, stable long-term housing; those with substantial challenges who are reluctant to engage in care have the higher intensity supports needed to achieve permanent housing.
• Once housed, clients at risk of becoming homeless again stay housed thanks to interdisciplinary care addressing needs of the whole person including medical, mental health, substance use, spiritual, income and other needs coordinated by case management.
For our vision to come to fruition, the number of available long-term, deeply affordable housing options must increase sufficiently to meet demand. By 2030, Columbus House has fewer clients entering the emergency shelter system, Columbus House clients move into stable affordable housing quickly, and once housed never become homeless again.
Our staff serves people at over a dozen locations across four counties in Connecticut. Over the years, we have implemented an integrated system of care by building strong relationships with established partners in the communities we serve. 2023 Clients served: In 2023, Columbus House served 2,300 individuals through our Shelter, Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, Homelessness Prevention, Street Outreach programs and array of services available to individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Of those 2,300 individuals:
• 43% self-reported as Female or Trans Female
• 24% self-reported as Hispanic and 75% self-reported as People of Color
• 14% were Veterans
• 53% self-reported experiencing a mental illness
• 42% self-reported experiencing a substance use problem
• 11% were over the age of 65
A brief description of our programs can be found below.
Outreach and Engagement: Our Outreach and Engagement team supports individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness by connecting them to housing resources, providing direct case management, and offering referrals to a myriad of mental health, health, employment, and other resources
Shelter Services: Providing families with children and single adults with both shelter and case management in several locations in New Haven, Middletown, and Wallingford.
Housing Services: Connecting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with state and federal vouchers for supportive housing, as well as short-term direct financial assistance for fully independent housing (“rapid rehousing”), all with comprehensive case management.
Employment & Income Services: Serving people who are homeless or at risk through job- and skills-training and by connecting people to employment opportunities, as well as through benefits counseling and referrals to behavioral health specialists.
Veterans Services: Providing specialized services to men and women who have served in the US military and are homeless or at-risk through short-term housing, direct financial assistance, benefits counseling, and employment services.