Danbury officials are looking to increase supportive housing residential program units.  An affiliate of the Housing Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for 98A Elm Street.  The Health and Human Services Department is sending a reply. 

Director Lisa Morrisey says the project aligns with the strategies identified in the Mayor's 10-year plan to end homelessness and the long-term plan to provide more housing opportunities with support services to the most vulnerable populations. 

Supportive housing combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services, which can provide that needed assistance. 

Morrisey says people with mental illness, chronic health conditions, histories of trauma and other struggles often end up in crisis situations while living on the streets, and emergency rooms and interaction with public safety officers may be the only care they are able to access. This, in turn, leads to greater strain on social services, health care and public safety systems.