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In 2022, a family in one of New Haven’s poorest neighborhoods opened up their backyard for unhoused people to live in, aspiring to create an alternative to the overburdened shelter system as homelessness surges across the state. For two years, Connecticut Public followed this experiment, as residents navigated the challenges of self-governance, addiction, and mental health—while running into regulatory hurdles with city and state law. Witness stories of joy and strength amidst hardship and struggle, as people experiencing homelessness build a neighborhood together.