Founding a Regional Movement to End Homelessness
Created By
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- and 4 partners in our collective impact network
Four Executive Directors of shelters in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, and Westport united to form "Fairfield 08" which grew into The Housing Collective.
The agreement was informal but established core guiding principles that continue to shape The Housing Collective’s work today:
- Align providers around shared goals
- Coordinate rather than compete for resources
- Shift from managing homelessness to ending it
- Build a regional approach across communities
“It was a handshake agreement, but it changed everything. We realized we could do far more together than we ever could apart.”
What started with just four leaders steadily gained momentum, growing to five, then six, and eventually to more than 200 partners across Connecticut. That small collaboration became the cornerstone of a deeply needed regional backbone organization.
From the outset, the group set ambitious goals—most notably, committing to ending chronic homelessness in Fairfield County. It was collective, ambitious goal-setting like this that helped shift the region’s mindset from incremental progress to measurable outcomes:
- Set bold, time-bound goals
- Use data to track progress and drive decisions
- Continuously test and adapt approaches
- Focus on housing outcomes, not just service delivery
Over time, this approach led to significant results. For more than a decade, Fairfield County saw sustained reductions in homelessness across multiple populations. By 2018-2019, the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness dropped to just three.
As the collaboration deepened, its impact was accelerated through continued system improvements. A unified Continuum of Care brought providers across multiple cities together under one umbrella – strengthening coordination and increasing federal funding for homelessness response from under $7 million to more than $28 million.
Fairfield ‘08 served as a prime example of the impact collaborative approaches have in transforming homelessness response efforts – so much so, that it helped guide and inform Opening Doors, the federal government’s first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness in 2010. Inspired by the shift taking place in regions like Fairfield County, Opening Doors would later give rise to HUD-designated Continuums of Care that would serve as funding vehicles for these kinds of strategies to end homelessness.
“It’s this idea of agencies coming together – sharing practices, sharing resources – believing and trusting that we were stronger by working in true collaboration.”
These long-term changes did not come from a single program or funding stream. They were a result of the strategic efforts to change the disjointed housing and homelessness system into one grounded in collaboration, shared accountability, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
As a regional backbone, The Housing Collective continues to carry forward its founding vision: align partners, scale proven strategies, and set bold goals to drive measurable reductions in homelessness.
The organization’s origin story demonstrates how a small group of committed leaders, working together across agencies and communities, can transform not only outcomes, but the system itself.
in partnership with
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Alpha Community Services YMCA
The Alpha Community Services YMCA, a Bridgeport area pioneer in providing services dedicated to the homeless, has been a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA since 1992. The Alpha Community Services Y has grown and expanded its services, striving to provide not just temporary shelter but also a path to a better life for those experiencing homelessness – providing supportive services to over 400 clients each year.
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Homes with Hope
Today, the agency provides emergency shelter for men and women, supportive housing for individuals and families, rapid re-housing, diversion services, a community kitchen, food pantry, youth development programs and mentoring. Our knowledgeable and innovative staff develops individualized case management plans with sustainable solutions so that everyone we serve has the opportunity to achieve and maintain an independent life.
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Inspirica, Inc.
Founded in 1879, Inspirica Inc. is one of the largest providers of housing and support services in the state of Connecticut and the largest in Fairfield County. By serving those most in need, including families, women, those living with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and individuals coping with substance use disorders, Inspirica is dedicated to the betterment of the Fairfield County community.
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Operation Hope
Operation Hope provides individuals and families the opportunity to experience transformative change. Our programs and services focus on eliminating hunger and homelessness, and are designed to help people solve their crises and build stability in an environment where compassion inspires dignity and hope.
