Nonprofit Has 98% Success Rate In Preventing Evictions

Bridgeport, CT – For over a decade, New Reach, a nonprofit organization based in New Haven, has had success helping those who are at risk of being evicted stay in their homes. A recent analysis conducted by the organization found that its Stable Families Program had a 98% success rate in preventing families from being evicted. This success has been vital in helping families maintain stability and independence.

The program was created in response to the Father Panik Village lawsuit in which affordable housing units in Bridgeport were removed but not replaced. Resident advisory funds were put into place to support the ongoing needs and services from that loss of resources to the community. “The partnership between New Reach and Park City Communities provides an invaluable service to the residents who reside in our communities and helps to support continued self-sufficiency and long-term stability among participating households,” said Jillian Baldwin, Executive Director of Park City Communities.

Nicole Barnofski, Chief Program Officer of New Reach, says “What makes the Stable Families Program so successful is the collaboration between the housing authority, legal services, and our social work services. Having those systems work together is what has made this a success.”

The CT Coalition to End Homelessness completed a data match with those who participated in the Stable Families Program between January 2011 and June 2020 to verify the organization’s findings. In total 410 households, including at least 839 adults and children, participated in the Stable Families Program during this time. The analysis showed that none of the families who participated in the Stable Families Program over a nine-year period became homeless.
New Reach uses innovative, equitable and inclusive methods in its housing support programs. "We’re working every day to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time,” said Kellyann Day, CEO of New Reach. “The focus of our Stable Families Program is to make homelessness rare by keeping families in their homes. With more funding, we could prevent more families in Bridgeport and other Connecticut cities from becoming homeless.”

The organization is looking at what the needs are across the state of Connecticut and is working with outside partners to get the resources necessary to expand the program. In addition to their eviction prevention services, New Reach also offers crisis and housing services designed to inspire independence for those affected by homelessness and poverty.

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About New Reach
Since 1990, New Reach has implemented best practices across the region to develop a continuum of housing interventions and supports– helping thousands of vulnerable households and families achieve stability and self-reliance. Today, the agency provides a full spectrum of housing services that meet the varying and complicated needs of at-risk families, youth, and individuals. From eviction prevention for public housing residents, to the development of affordable and supportive housing, and everything in between, New Reach serves thousands each year throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties. https://newreach.org/