DSS steps in to help disabled trio

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - A group of friends, all disabled came to News 8 desperate for help after getting evicted from their Bridgeport home and they're finally seeing some action from the state.

Since the three friends were evicted they've been staying at a Stratford motel thanks to News 8 viewers who wanted to help. Private donations allowed the friends to stay at the motel rather than live on the streets.  

On Thursday, News 8 spoke with State Department Of Social Services about why the responsibility seemed to fall on private residents rather than on a system set up exactly to deal with these problems.

"It was our understanding that the family was housed, that they had a roof over their head. Had the information on Friday been that they didn't have a place to stay we would have been in contact with the family right away," explained Deputy Commissioner Claudette J. Beaulieu.

"So it was because someone privately paid for this that you didn't get involved until Tuesday?"

"No, we have a hierarchy of services we will put into play," Beaulieu replied.

A state agency in Bridgeport only put the friends up in a motel for one night. News 8 has learned that the friends actually had to pay back the agency $35. A News 8 viewer had an easier time pooling together private funds to keep them in a motel than she did getting the various city and state agencies to come up with a solution.  

"I think there's always room for improvement when you're dealing with different levels of government," Beaulieu said.  

According to Chuck Wiberg, one of the displaced friends, it took News 8 getting involved for a system to work.

"Now they are all over it because you guys got involved," he said.   

A state social worker has now been assigned to the case to help them find permanent housing.

Once the private funds run out on Monday, the State Department Of Social Servies say it will be paying for the three friends to remain at the motel until they find more permanent housing.

They also say the best first step if you're facing a similar issue is to call 211 and someone there can direct you to the appropriate agency.