News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Partly Cloudy
66°
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics

Connecticut homelessness rises for fifth consecutive year, state officials say

Among the nearly 4,000 unhoused residents is 48-year-old Jason Alterio of Bridgeport, a plumbing apprentice who has spent the last year living entirely out of his pickup truck after struggling to find work.

Frank Recchia

Sep 19, 2026, 6:29 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

Connecticut's unhoused population has grown for the fifth consecutive year, pushing the state's emergency response system to its absolute limits.

Among the nearly 4,000 unhoused residents is 48-year-old Jason Alterio of Bridgeport, a plumbing apprentice who has spent the last year living entirely out of his pickup truck after struggling to find work.

In response to the growing crisis, state officials like Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Representative Antonio Felipe are championing new legislation that utilizes state grants to incentivize affordable housing development.

While recent legislative efforts aim to provide long-term remedies to end homelessness, officials warn that soaring rents alongside high gas and food prices will continue to create a challenging environment in the short term.

Alterio has started a crowdfunding campaign to help him rent an apartment.

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices