For many Branford residents, rising housing costs have made it increasingly difficult to stay in their homes. A rent increase, an unexpected heating bill, or a broken furnace can threaten a family’s housing security.

The Jay Pottenger Housing Fund, a designated fund established in 2026, helps Branford Counseling & Community Services (BCCS) provide financial assistance to residents facing these challenges, from the threat of eviction to the cost of keeping a home safe and habitable.

Working families, young people, and older adults living on fixed incomes – all of these groups face increasing pressure, which is why the Fund can be used for:

–Temporary rental support.

–Legal assistance for eligible tenants facing eviction or unfair rent increases.

–Help with home heating fuel or utility bills.

–One-time repairs and accessibility improvements, including heating, plumbing, electrical, and structural repairs.

“We’ve needed something like this for a long time,” said Peter Cimino, Executive Director of BCCS. “A lot of the people we work with are facing eviction or have serious housing issues, and this fund will be a Godsend.”

The Fund honors the deep commitment and advocacy of the late Jay Pottenger, who directed the Housing Clinic at Yale Law School and represented clients in Branford and across the country.