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ORDER CALLING FOR A WORKSHOP ON THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF TINY HOMES, PALLET SHELTERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURES IN MEETING THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF NEW HAVEN’S UNHOUSED RESIDENTS.
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WHEREAS: The City of New Haven continues to face a significant population of unhoused residents; and
WHEREAS: In 2023 according to the federally mandated accounting of people experiencing homelessness on a single winter night in January, 3,015 people in New Haven were reported as homeless with 583 of those under the age of 18; and
WHEREAS: The 2023 count represented a 3 percent increase over the prior year, marking the
second straight year of increased homelessness; and
WHEREAS: This year has seen a 27% increase in calls for service from unhoused individuals; and
WHEREAS: Unhoused community members face a reduced number of shelter beds, lack of permanent supportive housing and deeply affordable housing, and challenges with accessing mental health and substance abuse services; and
WHEREAS: Steps have taken steps to address this growing crisis, while the resources available do not match the need; and
WHEREAS: Tiny homes and pallet shelters have been used to address the needs of the unsheltered populations in other cities and towns across the country; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED that the Board of Alders convene a workshop to examine the potential role of tiny homes, pallet shelters, and other similar structures for the purpose of providing access to basic shelter for all New Haven residents; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that Economic Development, City Plan, Corporation Counsel, Department of Health, the Office of Building and Enforcement and any other relevant City department be invited to attend the workshop to address this critical social issue.