New Center to Offer Shelter and More
Community Development
Connecting Clients To Housing, Food, and Support Services
Client: Beth-El Center
Loan: $1,454,000
Location: Milford, CT
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The Beth-El Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that has been providing essential services to individuals and families facing housing insecurity and homelessness since 1986. Their mission includes offering stable and safe emergency shelter services while connecting clients to housing, food, and various support services. Despite the dedication of 24 staff members and 120 monthly volunteers, the current facility at 90 New Haven Avenue in Milford faces significant limitations, such as insufficient office and meeting space, inadequate access to basic needs for unsheltered clients, restricted access to supportive housing, and aging infrastructure.
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To address these challenges, Beth-El has requested a C4C loan to finance the acquisition of land at 995 Bridgeport Avenue in Milford, CT, where it plans to relocate and expand its services. The acquisition price is $1,380,000. Beth-El currently operates from its headquarters at 90 New Haven Avenue, which it owns outright. Funds from the City of Milford through their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation will cover interest costs during the predevelopment period.
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The new building will feature a 44-seat soup kitchen, 11 studio apartments, six single beds, and 10 additional bedrooms for small families, all intended for short-term occupants. This project aims to implement best practices in services for those experiencing homelessness, benefiting the Greater Milford Area. Through coordinated entry and evidence-based practices, the Center works to prevent and significantly reduce the duration of homelessness for individuals and families.
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In addition to accommodations and services offered through its Emergency Shelter program, the Beth-El Center will foster a unique community of collaboration and empowerment. The Center has partnered with several community providers to deliver essential support services, including healthcare through Bridges Healthcare and medical services from Cornell Scott Hill Health Center. Additionally, the Center plans to offer frequent workshops that connect households to financial literacy resources and the regional American Jobs Center, Workforce Alliance.