A state senator from Fairfield was in Hartford Wednesday to introduce an initiative aimed at ending homelessness in Connecticut.

Sen. John McKinney says his initiative calls for permanent affordable supportive housing, which is an alternative to temporary homeless shelters. There are already a few apartment complexes throughout southwestern Connecticut that provide supportive housing to homeless families.

All of the families that live in supportive housing can stay as long as they want. Some supportive housing complexes in southwestern Connecticut are run by Operation Hope. Organization officials say tenants pay 30 percent of their income for rent. They also say by living in supportive housing, tenants can take advantage of mental health and counseling services.

However, McKinney says more needs to be done. He says he is urging the state to fund 650 new units of supportive housing in the next budget.

McKinney says in order to accomplish the goal of ending homelessness, the state must make a commitment to similar housing projects by offering incentives to builders and municipalities.