Kingdom

that place people’s lives at risk.

An $18 million grant from the federal government, Blumenthal said, could mark a new movement towards lowering rates of homelessness around New Haven and the state.

That money, part of a broader $315 million in homelessness aid distributed to states by HUD, will go through to two state agencies — the Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services — and be divided into three buckets meant to help people living on the streets get “back on their feet,” as Blumenthal put it.

Over the next six years, $2 million will be granted annually to the following services (the “three buckets”) in Connecticut:

• The designation and development of walk-in “hubs” designed to connect individuals experiencing homelessness directly with needed services, a step towards providing physical entry points to the coordinated access networks that users typically access by calling “211” on the phone.

• Hiring outreach workers who will go out into communities to identify individuals and families experiencing homelessness and connect them with services.

• Investing in roughly 40 rental assistance vouchers paired with wraparound servic- es to subsidize housing opportunities for those without.

As HUD Senior Advisor for Housing and Services Richard Cho put it on Friday, the money will go towards “improved outreach, data collection on those sleeping in unsheltered settings, increased permanent housing options for them and more landlords recruited to rent to unhoused persons.”

He said Connecticut was selected in a competitive process to receive this funding because of its “comprehensive approach” to combating homelessness “designed with the input of people with lived experience who know the solutions to solving their own homelessness.”

Murphy added on Friday that the “funding recognizes that everybody has a different story when they end up on the street.” He said that upping outreach programming will meet individuals without hous- ing where they are and connect them with tailored services to assist their unique circumstances: That could mean a rental subsidy, substance abuse support, or mental health services.

“That’s what this grant is all about: Outreach,” he stated.

With homelessness surging since the onset of the pandemic due to jobs lost, rents raised, shelter capacity minimized and mental health issues exacerbated, Lamont said that he has learned over the past few years “that not only are appropriate housing and public health, vaccinations, important for that poor person who needs that helping hand, it’s important for the whole community… That’s how you bring a community back to life.”

While national leaders touted the importance of this sweeping financial intervention, local leaders on the issue continued to press the importance of systemic overhauls and consistent state funding when it comes to confronting homelessness postpresser.

“This is a gamechanger,” Columbus House CEO Margaret Middleton acknowledged of the funding during an interview with the Independent. However, she said, “This is entirely new programming. It doesn’t help us pay for what we

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SCAN HERE FOR THE COMPLETE SEASON LINE-UP!

ROBERT CRAY BAND

MARCH 1

With 5 Grammy awards and over 20 acclaimed albums to his name, the Blues legend returns to the Playhouse for his 10th career performance!

MAVIS STAPLES

MARCH 12

3x Grammy Award-winner and co-founder of the Staples Singers, known for hits “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again.”

BALLET HISPÁNICO

MARCH 26

Bringing communities together to celebrate and explore Latinx cultures.

L. SHANKAR

MARCH 8

Grammy Award winning virtuoso Indian violinist and vocalist makes his Playhouse debut!

PINKY PATEL

MARCH 24

The TikTok comedian sensation is taking her show on the road!

EMMET COHEN

MAY 19

Multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer.

THU, JAN 26 | 7:30 PM | ELVIS

FRI, JAN 27 | 7:30 PM | NOPE

SAT, JAN 28 | 3:00 PM | THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

SAT, JAN 28 | 7:30 PM | MOONAGE DAYDREAM

SUN, JAN 29 | 3:00 PM | TÁR

Drumline Live

FRIDAY, FEB 10 | 8PM

DRUMLine Live is the showstopping attraction created by the musical team behind 20th Century Fox's hit movies, "Drumline" and "Drumline: A New Beat," featured throughout the Shaq'tacular on New Year’s Eve. The legendary HBCU band experience comes alive with this world-class cast of percussionists, musicians and dancers in a brand new show with new music and choreography. Be prepared to laugh, sing, dance and cry, because DRUMLine Live is a high-octane musical roller coaster ride that will hit every emotion in your body.

THU, FEB 2 | 7:30 PM | EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

FRI, FEB 3 | 7:30 PM | BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER

SAT, FEB 4 | 3:00 PM | SHE SAID

SAT, FEB 4 | 7:30 PM | TOP GUN: MAVERICK

SUN, FEB 5 | 3:00 PM | MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS

Dates to be announced: Till, The Woman King, The Inspection, and more. The series schedule is subject to change.

Councilwoman Kathy Tucker has been chosen

by the West Haven Black Heritage Committee as the 2023 Citizen of the Year.

The ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 16th at 11:00 am in the Harriet C. North Meeting Room on the second floor of West Haven City Hall.

Tucker, an advance practice registered nurse, is Director of Heart and vascular outpatient program services at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Prior to serving on the City Council, she was a member of the West Haven Board of Health.

“Kathy Tucker was an obvious choice.” said Committee President Steven R. Mullins. “Her experience in public health and service on the City’s Board of Health were very instrumental in establishing protocols and procedures in the distribution of vaccinations to West Haven residents during the recent Coronavirus pandemic.” Mullins said. In addition to Tucker, four West Haven High School students will be honored. Juniors Dana Davis and Malachi Calhoun and seniors Ayannah Obas and Jo ‘Vante Witter will receive leadership and academic awards.

A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church on the Green.

For more information, call Mullins at 203-824-4262.