CHA CEO Receives Homelessness Social Justice Award
(Hartford, CT - May 20, 2026) We are excited to announce that Community Housing Advocates CEO Kara Capone has been awarded the Homelessness Social Justice Award by the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH). The award recognizes leaders who champion innovative practices, foster broad collaboration, and develop creative solutions to complex social challenges. It is presented to individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing homelessness through impactful and diverse partnerships.
“Kara’s leadership at Community Housing Advocates reflects these values in a very real way,” said Sarah Fox, CEO of CCEH. “She brings a deep commitment to policy change paired with a strong focus on meaningful impact. She consistently goes above and beyond — not only for her own organization, but for the entire field of homelessness services. Kara embodies collective action through the way she brings people together, navigates complexity, and remains grounded in what it truly takes to prevent and solve homelessness.”
Kara Capone serves as Chief Executive Officer of Community Housing Advocates (CHA), the parent organization of Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation and My Sisters’ Place. Under her leadership, CHA provides a comprehensive continuum of housing and homelessness services to more than 6,000 individuals annually throughout Hartford and Middlesex counties. Services include emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, diversion and coordinated entry programs, youth transitional housing, supportive housing, and affordable housing development.
Prior to joining CHA, Capone held several leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer at New Reach, Inc., Director of Grants and Development at the Norwalk Housing Authority, and national consultant with Housing Innovations, where she helped communities advance strategies to end homelessness nationwide.
“I am deeply grateful to receive this recognition and honored to work alongside so many dedicated homelessness advocates,” said Kara Capone. “Together, we continue to advocate for the services, housing, and supports that help some of the most vulnerable members of our community achieve stability and hope for the future.”
The award was presented to Capone at the CCEH Annual Training Institute held on May 20, 2026.
More About Community Housing Advocates
CHA and its organizations work to provide housing assistance and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The goal is to empower clients to become independent, so they may live and work with dignity and respect. CHA’s main mission is to end homelessness by advocating for changes in the social systems that perpetuate homelessness.
