STATE OF CONNECTICUT
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106

Contact: Rich Harris
890-524-7313
Rich.Harris@ct.gov

Hartford, CT (June 21, 2007) – Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has joined with a non-profit housing search company to create a free housing registry to help people find accessible and affordable rental housing in Connecticut.

www.CTHousingSearch.org, created by Socialserve.com and DECD, is a statewide listing service for affordable, accessible and market-rate rental housing. Socialserve.com develops and maintains a bilingual, toll-free call center and Web applications to help agencies, property owners and the general public offer and find rental housing. The company provides similar services in 20 states.

“Connecticut’s working families must have quality, affordable housing options,” Governor Rell said. “Our state is creating thousands of new jobs – more than 10,000 new positions just since this year began – but to continue this boom, workers need to locate their families in safe and secure neighborhoods. That means connecting people to what’s available through tools such as CTHousingSearch.org. This is an easy, one-stop resource for finding rental options in their community.”

The free, on-line service allows property managers and owners to list properties, describe amenities, provide photos and list eligibility requirements. Renters can search up-to-date vacancies and get contact information. Units that are accessible for people with disabilities will be identified. A bilingual call center will be available to assist landlords and renters. The site is currently recruiting landlords to list properties. Landlords should go to www.CTHousingSearch.org or call (877) 428-8844.

DECD funds the call center and housing locator service. Founding sponsors include the state Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, United Way’s 2-1-1 Infoline, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development.