Senior and Community Division

Overview

The Senior and Community Services Division is comprised of an array of vital programs that ultimately promote self-sufficiency and independent living for Hartford’s senior citizens and vulnerable populations.

Home Help Program

The Home Help Program provides services to assist individuals 60 years and older who have functional and physical impairments with their essential daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and other non-personal care activities to keep individuals safe in their homes. For more information, please call us at (860) 757-4836.

Dial-A-Ride

This is a transportation service for Hartford residents 60 years and older as well as any resident aged 18 and older with a permanent disability. Trips are restricted to within city limits and for trips to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and senior centers. For more information, please call (860) 757-4747.

No Freeze Program

This program provides temporary shelter and outreach services to homeless men in order to minimize the risk presented by extreme winter weather conditions from December 1st through March 31st. For more information, please call (860) 724-4823.

Renters' Rebate Program

The City processes Renter’s Rebate applications annually beginning in April for qualifying city residents. This program is available due to state law which provides reimbursements for a percentage of the total rent paid yearly by individuals 65 years or older as well as disabled individuals 18 years and older who meet certain disability requirements. For more information, please call the City of Hartford at (860) 757-4737, or visit the State of Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate page by Clicking Here

You can check out the Rent Rebate FAQs by Clicking Here.

Note: the City processes applications for Hartford residents, but the program is funded 100% from the State's General Funds.

McKinney Homeless Shelter

Managed by Community Renewal Team, Inc., the City provides emergency temporary housing for homeless men 18 years and older. Priority for admission will be given to Hartford residents. Case management, drug/alcohol treatment, information and referral services and assistance with obtaining permanent housing is provided. Individuals seeking emergency housing should call 211. For other information, please call (860) 757-0661.

Emergency Placement/Relocation Program

This program provides relocation assistance to individuals, families and businesses that are displaced as a result of a project, program or code enforcement activity undertaken by the City or its agents in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act. For more information, please call (860) 757-4717.

Community Court Support Services

The Hartford Community Court is a unique partnership between the City of Hartford, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch, community leaders and the residents of Hartford. This specialized session of the Connecticut Superior Court is devoted solely to addressing "quality of life" misdemeanor crimes such as breach of peace, petty larceny, threatening, and prostitution; as well as violations of the Municipal Code such as excessive noise, public drinking, disorderly conduct, and discharge of pollutants. Offenders of quality of life crimes are accountable to the criminal justice system and to the community where the crime was committed. Sanctions imposed by the court include but are not limited to fines, jail time and community service.

Senior Centers

Multi-purpose senior centers located throughout Hartford in which adults 55 years and older can join in diverse activities and services. Centers’ provide a resource of information for maintaining independence. Seniors can gain information on in-home assistance, health insurance, and claims assistance, transportation services, home-delivered meals, volunteer and job training programs, cultural events, health and wellness educational classes, recreational activities, group meals and intergenerational programming.

For more information, please call or visit a senior center near you:

  • Hispanic Senior Center at 45 Wadsworth Street, (860) 527-1124
  • North End Senior Center at 80 Coventry Street, (860) 757-0800
  • Parkville Senior Center at 11 New Park Avenue, (860) 232-7867;
  • South End Wellness Senior Center at 830 Maple Avenue, (860) 757-0840

Did you know that you can volunteer on a Senior Center Advisory Board? Please contact your nearest Senior Center directly to learn more about how to become a board member.

Fall Prevention

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for Connecticut residents aged 65 years and over and the fourth leading cause for all ages, resulting in approximately 42,000 hospital discharges among CT residents from 2007 to 2013 and over $1.1 billion in in-patient hospital costs. The Falls Prevention Program addresses those risk factors for falls among older adults including environmental hazards, medication interactions and physical inactivity. Participation in the program includes a fall prevention survey, a home safety assessment, and follow-up visits to provide recommendations, referrals, and equipment to improve home safety. An evidence-based exercise program is available up to 2 times a year to increase balance, strength, and endurance. Education sessions addressing medication safety, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are available throughout the year. For questions about the program please call (860) 757-4846.