06/11/2026
It's disappointing to see misinformation circulating anonymously about the proposed expansion of the TVCCA warming shelter in Norwich, funded by the State of Connecticut. Did you know that at least four folks died from overnight winter exposure in the 2025 - 2026 winter season? We want to put an end to needless loss of life, and I want to put correct information out into the world (you can see the anonymous letter in the comments):
*Among the opening statements of this anonymous letters is a lack of transparency from TVCCA. On the contrary, TVCCA has directly mailed notices, in a timely manner (as required by law) to all neighbors of 248 Broadway, to inform them of the project and the public hearing for a special zoning permit. We have also engaged with both The Day and the Norwich Bulletin to ensure that information about the proposed project has been circulated, and we have gone through all proper channels to make sure this shelter will be created legitimately and within the confines of all local regulations, which includes the holding of a public hearing, which is coming up this Tuesday.
*The anonymous writer states, in back to back sentences, that the shelter's hours of operations would be limited to being held between 6:00 PM and 8:00 AM seasonally and then that TVCCA isn't committing to "fixed, predictable, and enforceable operational hours." Clearly, we are committing to fixed, predictable operational hours. Other hours listed as being needed for open operations at the building related to St. Mark's Lutheran Church and TVCCA's office operations, not the shelter.
*The anonymous writer claims that there is no legal minimal staffing ratio for warming shelters; this is simply false, the State requires minimum staffing ratios. By stating "expected," it gives TVCCA the opportunity to increase staffing if it is needed because of the size of the group visiting the shelter. The maximum overnight occupancy is 60 (staff included), but will more likely range between 10 - 40 on an average winter night.
*The anonymous writer insinuates that there is no plan to operate the warming shelter. On the contrary, warming shelters are established throughout the state and even in Norwich over the past two winters - these procedures are well understood and established and are known to the City and State. Outdoor queuing and sidewalk crowding will simply not occur.
*The anonymous writer suggests that individuals should not be able to access the shelter after an assigned time. First and foremost, this would be a mistake, as requiring everyone to show up at the exact same time will cause greater travel and sidewalk traffic issues. Beyond this, however, individuals remain allowed to travel on our roadways and sidewalks in a free country regardless of the hour even if they are poor - we are not in a position, nor is the city, to deny that level of transportation, nor are we in a position to deny someone life-saving shelter in the coldest months of the year if they arrive late.
*The anonymous writer insinuates, at the top of the second page, that TVCCA is in the business of administrating "higher-intensity services" and "unvetted third party programs." TVCCA is a federally-designated Community Action Agency that administers ~$37 million in federal and state human service programs each year. These are known commodities used by over 25,000 individuals a year in Eastern Connecticut including WIC, LIHEAP Energy Assistance, housing services like Section 8 (which will help individuals get out of the shelter and into permanent housing where they will also further contribute to the local economy), Meals on Wheels (many of our unsheltered clients are seniors), Head Start (many parents are unsheltered, too), and related, known commodities. To suggest that TVCCA should not be able to administer human services to people in need, and that those human services should be subject to review by a Zoning commission, is inhumane and simply not realistic.
*The anonymous writer suggests that our proposed security plan is not enough, despite listing precautions we have already committed to taking. This logical fallacy speaks for itself, though we remain committed to further improving on security if real ideas for improvement come forward.
*The anonymous writer suggests that the church lacks "specialized infrastructure, perimeter management," and that TVCCA lacks a "morning discharge plan required to prove compatibility" with a residential neighborhood. This is categorically false, as demonstrated through the rest of our application.
*The TVCCA application and ethos has been one of full professionalism and transparency, one that is committed to safety, and one that has the means to be compatible with the neighborhood in and around 248 Broadway. It is unfortunate that the City has made its zoning regulations in such a way that we are pushed out of the City center and into the residential neighborhoods in order to operate a shelter like this, but regardless of this fact we have found a great future partnership where our secular values align with the St. Mark's Lutheran Church values in a way that will guarantee that the Church is able to stay open while TVCCA operates this vital service in Norwich. TVCCA has answered every question asked by the City in full and will do so again at the Public Hearing, which is the proper place and forum for such further discussions to be held.
*TVCCA has been a superb neighbor and friend to the City of Norwich for over 60 years - the insinuation by an anonymous writer to the contrary is simply not founded in any fact or reality.
*The anonymous writer claims we have not been transparent, yet all neighbors received a letter that included our contact information. We have not received any outreach from neighbors with concerns that we could help address in a real, productive manner. Anyone who wants to is welcome to contact us at [email protected].
We invite ALL members of the public to come to Room 335, City Hall, 100 Broadway on Tuesday, June 16th, at 7:00 PM.
Housing matters, helping our residents in greatest need matters, and we know this shelter will help save lives and get more Norwich-area residents on their feet.
Thanks for reading - I hope to see you on Tuesday.
