Housing Collective Marks 20 Years Serving Connecticut, Launches Major Donor Campaign

The Housing Collective, a Bridgeport-based nonprofit that coordinates housing efforts across Connecticut, celebrated its 20th anniversary this week by launching a fundraising campaign aimed at strengthening the state’s housing systems.

Since its founding in 2006, the organization has united more than 200 organizations across Connecticut to address homelessness and housing affordability through regional collaboration, according to the nonprofit. The Housing Collective serves as the backbone for the homeless response system in Western Connecticut and leads regional housing affordability initiatives in both Western and Eastern Connecticut.

“For 20 years, The Housing Collective has been fueled by one unshakable belief – coordinated action is the key to transforming housing in our communities – and that still rings true today,” said David Rich, President and CEO of the Housing Collective. “Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on the collective power of our communities to create lasting change. The need for safe, affordable homes has never been more urgent throughout Connecticut.”

The organization operates through what it calls a collective impact framework, where multiple groups work together toward common goals to address the underlying systems that make housing inaccessible, according to the nonprofit.

Over its two decades of operation, the Housing Collective has achieved several significant milestones, according to the organization. The group spearheaded efforts in Fairfield County that ended chronic veteran homelessness in 2016 and increased federal funding for homelessness response in Fairfield County by 160 percent.

The nonprofit also provided backbone support for two Coordinated Access Networks in western Connecticut and ensured no unhoused individuals in the region died due to COVID-19 during the pandemic, according to the organization. Additionally, the group helped increase annual development of affordable homes in Litchfield County by 100 percent and built a network of more than 240 cross-sector partners across Connecticut.

Jillian Baldwin, Board Co-Chair of The Housing Collective and CEO of Park City Communities, emphasized the importance of coordination in housing efforts. “Housing does not just happen. In order for everyone to have a safe, affordable home, hundreds of organizations need to constantly coordinate with one another behind the scenes,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin noted that her organization, which manages the largest public housing portfolio in Connecticut according to her statement, benefits from collaboration with the Housing Collective and other regional groups, including developers, service providers, and resident groups.

“When you support the Housing Collective, you’re supporting the entire housing system,” Baldwin said.

The funds raised through the new campaign will support and strengthen regional systems and partnerships that enable housing production, preservation, and protection, according to the organization. The Housing Collective operates largely behind the scenes to prevent homelessness, expand access to affordable homes, and elevate resident voices in shaping solutions.

The organization also provides communities with data and analysis needed to make evidence-based decisions about housing policy and development, according to the nonprofit.

Connecticut continues to face significant housing challenges, with affordability remaining a critical issue for families across the state. The Housing Collective’s coordinated approach aims to address these challenges by aligning communities, public agencies, and service providers around regional solutions.

The anniversary campaign represents the organization’s commitment to expanding its impact as it enters its third decade of service. Rich emphasized that with support from donors, partners, and neighbors, the organization can reshape the future for thousands of families across Connecticut communities.

Those interested in learning more about the Housing Collective or contributing to the campaign can visit the organization’s website for additional information.