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What to know about homelessness in New London County Matt Grahn | Norwich Bulletin Dec. 16, 2025, 4:50 a.m. ET Homelessness in Connecticut has increased by 16% since 2023, with 3,140 unhoused individuals statewide. In Southeastern Connecticut, there are currently 150 people experiencing homelessness. A wide range of people can become homeless, including seniors, who sometimes make up 40% of the New London shelter's population. Homelessness is growing crisis locally, and the New London Homelessness Hospitality Center wants to educate the community about the issue. Annah Perch, director of development and communication for the Hospitality Center, gave a talk at Otis Library on Dec. 15 about the homelessness situation in New London County, along with information about the Hospitality Center and how people can help. At the state level, there has been a 16% increase in homelessness since 2023, with 3,140 unhoused individuals statewide in 2024. The state’s 211 system has had 62,000 calls this year related to housing crises, Perch said. In Southeastern Connecticut, there are 150 people who are homeless. While the hospitality center is in New London, there are many people from Norwich who end up at the facility, Perch said. The Homeless Hospitality Center has 20 beds for men and 20 beds for women, plus additional beds for veterans and people who are dealing with an illness. While people may hold stereotypes about who ends up homeless, many people can become homeless, from parents and young people to veterans and even the elderly. Perch has said there are times where 40% of the people staying at the hospitality center are seniors, she said. To help, people can support causes like the Hospitality Cetner through volunteer or donations of money and items like winter clothing, toiletries and more. Perch also encourages people to advocate at the municipal and state level for supporting the homeless, especially as nonprofits have seen reductions in contributions from local governments she said. What attendees said Brandon Sabbag was helped by the Hospitality Center 12 years ago. After losing the place where he lived, an unemployment check for $254 per week wasn't enough to make ends meet, and he was helped by the Hospitality Center. Sabbag, who is also a candidate in the 139th House District Special Election, said he recently hit his fundraising goal and wants to see if any additional funds raised by his campaign can be given to the Hospitality Center, he said. While the Hospitality Center is a regional organization, Judith Hersey wants more resources to stay in Norwich to help those in need in the city. Hersey has lived in Norwich for 50 years and remembers the city programs from the 1970s and 1980s being more robust, she said. "If we give our money away to other cities, then we go downhill, don't we," she said. Within Norwich, there are around 80 people who are known to be homeless, Thames Valley Council for Community Action CEO Josh Kelly said. TVCCA's winter shelter in Norwich has been open since Dec. 7. There were seven people the first two nights, but since then it has been filled to its maximum number of 16. For everyone that's been turned away, TVCCA has been referred to the Hospitality Center, 211, and other entities. Even still, some people end up sleeping in the cold, Kelly said. "At the end of the day, there's not enough space," he said. "There's too much demand and too little supply." TVCCA has been working on acquiring a larger shelter for Norwich, with enough space for 60. Kelly is optimistic about how things are going with the sellers. The new shelter will be ready for next winter, but there's a chance it could be open this season, Kelly said.
Matt Grahn | Norwich Bulletin
Dec. 16, 2025, 4:50 a.m. ET
Homelessness is growing crisis locally, and the New London Homelessness Hospitality Center wants to educate the community about the issue.
Annah Perch, director of development and communication for the Hospitality Center, gave a talk at Otis Library on Dec. 15 about the homelessness situation in New London County, along with information about the Hospitality Center and how people can help.
At the state level, there has been a 16% increase in homelessness since 2023, with 3,140 unhoused individuals statewide in 2024. The state’s 211 system has had 62,000 calls this year related to housing crises, Perch said.
In Southeastern Connecticut, there are 150 people who are homeless. While the hospitality center is in New London, there are many people from Norwich who end up at the facility, Perch said.
The Homeless Hospitality Center has 20 beds for men and 20 beds for women, plus additional beds for veterans and people who are dealing with an illness.
While people may hold stereotypes about who ends up homeless, many people can become homeless, from parents and young people to veterans and even the elderly. Perch has said there are times where 40% of the people staying at the hospitality center are seniors, she said.
To help, people can support causes like the Hospitality Cetner through volunteer or donations of money and items like winter clothing, toiletries and more. Perch also encourages people to advocate at the municipal and state level for supporting the homeless, especially as nonprofits have seen reductions in contributions from local governments she said.
Brandon Sabbag was helped by the Hospitality Center 12 years ago. After losing the place where he lived, an unemployment check for $254 per week wasn't enough to make ends meet, and he was helped by the Hospitality Center. Sabbag, who is also a candidate in the 139th House District Special Election, said he recently hit his fundraising goal and wants to see if any additional funds raised by his campaign can be given to the Hospitality Center, he said.
While the Hospitality Center is a regional organization, Judith Hersey wants more resources to stay in Norwich to help those in need in the city. Hersey has lived in Norwich for 50 years and remembers the city programs from the 1970s and 1980s being more robust, she said.
"If we give our money away to other cities, then we go downhill, don't we," she said.
Within Norwich, there are around 80 people who are known to be homeless, Thames Valley Council for Community Action CEO Josh Kelly said.
TVCCA's winter shelter in Norwich has been open since Dec. 7. There were seven people the first two nights, but since then it has been filled to its maximum number of 16. For everyone that's been turned away, TVCCA has been referred to the Hospitality Center, 211, and other entities. Even still, some people end up sleeping in the cold, Kelly said.
"At the end of the day, there's not enough space," he said. "There's too much demand and too little supply."
TVCCA has been working on acquiring a larger shelter for Norwich, with enough space for 60. Kelly is optimistic about how things are going with the sellers. The new shelter will be ready for next winter, but there's a chance it could be open this season, Kelly said.