The Challenge

Around 130,000 people call New Haven their home. Several thousand of them make up part of the half million people in Connecticut who rely on SNAP (formerly called food stamps) to make ends meet. Over twenty percent of city residents are food insecure, meaning they do not have consistent access of affordable and nutritious food.

Hand in hand with this issue is homelessness. Nearly 4,000 people in Connecticut were identified by the 2016 Point in Time Count as either currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. The homeless population includes single men and women, and families with children. Those experiencing homelessness have varied and complicated stories, but they include victims of domestic violence, the mentally or physically ill, and veterans. Minorities are disproportionately represented on the streets and in the waiting lines for shelters. (Connecticut Point in Time Count).

500k

Connecticut residents rely on snap assistance.

Of Connecticut's 3.5 million residents, over half a million people rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits every month to meet their food needs.

22%

of new haven residents are food insecure.

Food insecurity is defined a lack of consistent access to affordable, nutritious food. Food insecurity affects 13.9% of Connecticut residents, but the New Haven rate is 22%-- twice the national average. 

1 in 4

people in new haven live at or below the poverty line.

New Haven’s low income families account for a quarter of the city’s entire population. Overall, the rate is virtually unchanged from 2010 and continues to be much higher than the state’s average.

YHHAP helps combat local food insecurity and homelessness issues through our diverse and innovative programs (see the "project wheel" on the menu), including clothing closets, food rescue services, case management, employment opportunities, and more. Join us in serving New Haven.