Homelessness in New Hampshire: Shelters, resources, statistics

What are the causes of homelessness?Affordable housingNew Hampshire is experiencing a major shortage of affordable housing available to individuals of low income. As high paying jobs have flooded the state in recent years, many people have gradually been priced out of the competitive housing market.Between 2019 and 2022, the annual income required to afford a median priced home increased across all counties by 53.87%, while the income required to afford median gross rent rose by 14.47%.New Hampshire is also facing a deficit of more than 20,000 housing units, and it is estimated that the state will need more than 60,000 units by 2030 to keep up with the current population growth rate.The housing shortage and lack of affordable housing, stagnant wages among low-paid workers, and widening wage gap are key to understanding homelessness in the state.Domestic violenceDomestic violence is a common cause of homelessness, especially for women and children. Most survivors of domestic violence identify affordable housing as their primary need, second only to personal safety.“Survivors of domestic violence may turn to homeless service programs, seeking a safe temporary place to stay after fleeing an abusive relationship. Others may turn to homeless service programs primarily because they lack the economic resources to secure or maintain housing after leaving an abusive relationship,” according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.Racial disparitiesMuch like the rest of the country, people of color in New Hampshire experience homelessness at disproportionately higher rates.Black/African Americans in New Hampshire comprise 10.2% of the homeless population, while being 2.7% of the state population, making them four times more likely to experience homelessness.Additionally, Black/African Americans rank high on the dissimilarity index in four New Hampshire counties (Belknap, Coos, Hillsborough, and Sullivan) and moderate in four other counties (Grafton, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford). The dissimilarity index is a measure of segregation used in housing studies.Who are the people experiencing homelessness?Even though the majority of New Hampshire’s homeless population consists of single adults in households with no children, there are many other subpopulations of homelessness:Chronic homelessnessPeople who experience chronic homelessness face the greatest barriers to obtaining and maintaining stability and the state needs to employ costly services, including emergency rooms, correctional facilities, and prisons.The chronically homeless often suffer with complex health conditions such as mental illness or physical disabilities.Family and child homelessnessBy definition, families who experience homelessness include at least one adult and one child under the age of 18. They can also include families with two heads of households, adult children living with parents and younger siblings, and grandparents in custody of children.Studies indicate that homelessness can have a long-term impact on a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. In New Hampshire, more than half the people in homeless families are children.Unsheltered homelessnessPeople who experience unsheltered homelessness live in unsheltered places not meant for human habitation, including streets, woods, cars, and abandoned buildings.Preliminary data from New Hampshire’s 2023 Point-in-Time count recorded 338 unsheltered homeless individuals in January 2023.Student homelessnessHomeless students are children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This population also includes students who share housing with another family or individual(s) due to loss of home, this is known as couch surfing or being doubled-up.During the 2021-2022 academic school year there were 3378 homeless school children, according to the N.H. Department of Education.Youth homelessnessFamily conflict is often cited as a major reason for youth homelessness or episodes of youth running away. A youth’s sexual orientation, sexual activity, school problems, and substance abuse are associated with family conflict.Youth homelessness can take many forms such as sleeping on the streets, in shelters, running away, being kicked out of a primary home and couch surfing.Homeless statistics in New HampshireThere are thousands of homeless people in New Hampshire, however no one knows precisely how many there are.Many people cycle in and out of homelessness and not everyone is counted. Additionally, about 50% of youth and young adults experiencing homeless are couch surfing and therefore invisible to counts.There are three reliable data sets that track homelessness in New Hampshire: the annual point-in-time count, the Homeless Management Information System, and data from the Department of Education.Point-in-time countThe annual Point-in-Time Count (PIT) done by local agencies — on behalf of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development — records the total number of homeless individuals on a given night in January.PIT 2023 2,441 Total Homeless 2,103 sheltered individuals (86.15% of total), 338 unsheltered individuals (13.84% of total) 52.08% increase from 2022PIT 2022 1,605 Total Homeless 1,274 Sheltered (79.4% of total), 331 Unsheltered (20.6% of total) 4.2% decrease from 2020, 7.1% increase from 2021.PIT change over the past five years: 2022 – 2023: + 52.08% or 1605 - 2441 2021 – 2022: + 7.1% or 1491 - 1605 2020 – 2021: - 12.3% or 1675 - 1491 2019 – 2020: + 16.6% or 1396 – 1675 2018 – 2019: - 3.8% or 1450 - 1396 Total average: 1676.33 Average percent change: + 9.8%Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS)The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a reporting tool for all state and federally funded outreach programs, shelters, and housing programs.HMIS data is not publicly available. Data from 2021 and 2020 has been collected from The New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness’ annual reports.HMIS Data 2021 Overall total: 4,682 Chronic homelessness: 889 Family Homelessness: 1,254 Unsheltered Homelessness: 1,249 Veteran Homelessness: 365HMIS Data 2020 Overall total: 4,451 Chronic homelessness: 580 Family Homelessness: 1,577 Unsheltered Homelessness: 411 Veteran Homelessness: 348Student homelessnessStatewide data on school-aged children experiencing homelessness is reported annually by New Hampshire School Districts on behalf of the Department of Education.2021-2022 School Year Total: 3,378 Manchester: 766 Nashua: 336 Balance of State: 2,2762020-2021 Total: 3,145 Manchester: 724 Nashua: 319 Balance of State: 2,102Student homelessness change over time 2022 – 2018 2021-2022: +6.8% or 3,145 – 3,378 2020-2021: -11.89% or 3,519 – 3,145 2019-2020: -3.09% or 3,628 – 3,519 2018-2019: N/A or N/A – 3,628 Total average: 3417.5 Average percent change: -2.69% Data from PIT 2023 is preliminary until approved by HUD Sheltered numbers include people staying in hotels paid for by NHERAP Average skewed by 50%+ increase from 2022 – 2023 As only two years of data are available, any conclusions drawn from averages should be minimal.ResourcesIn addition to the resources listed below, 211 is New Hampshire’s first statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service. Anyone can dial 211 to be connected with trained information and referral specialists to provide them with health and human service information, as well as options to connect them with help.You can also find available resources online by visiting https://www.211nh.org/search/.Seacoast Family Promise27 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833Phone: 603-658-8448https://www.seacoastfamilypromise.org/email: director@seacoastfamilypromise.orgDonate: https://www.seacoastfamilypromise.org/giveCurrent needs: https://www.seacoastfamilypromise.org/in-kind-donationsVolunteer: https://www.seacoastfamilypromise.org/get-involvedHarbor Care45 High Street, Nashua, NHPhone: 603-821-7788Housing Help: 1-844-800-9911Veterans Services: 603-882-3616https://www.harborcarenh.org/Donate: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?id=25&name=E198442Volunteer: https://www.harborcarenh.org/get-involved-indexStepping Stones3 Pine Street Ext Unit L, Nashua, NH 03060Phone: 603-787-3016Email: kathy@steppingstonesnh.orgDonate: https://www.steppingstonesnh.org/donate-nowCurrent needs: https://www.steppingstonesnh.org/wishlistVolunteer: https://www.steppingstonesnh.org/volunteerStep Up Program: https://www.steppingstonesnh.org/stepupConcord Coalition to end Homelessness283 N. Main Street, Concord, NH 03301Phone: 603-290-3375https://concordhomeless.org/Email: office@concordhomeless.orgHousing support: sierra@concordhomeless.orgDonate: https://concordhomeless.org/donate-now/Current needs: https://concordhomeless.org/donate-items/Volunteer: https://concordhomeless.org/volunteer/Families in Transition122 Market Street, Manchester, NH 03101Phone: 603-641-9441https://www.fitnh.org/Email: info@fitnh.orgHousing Help: 603-641-9441 ext 257Donate: https://support.fitnh.org/give/523592/#!/donation/checkoutCurrent needs: https://www.fitnh.org/high-needs/Volunteer: https://www.fitnh.org/get-involved/volunteer/ Waypoint464 Chestnut Street, Manchester, NH 03105Phone: 603-518-4000https://waypointnh.org/Regional Offices: https://waypointnh.org/regional-officesDonate: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=24be57df-61ed-460b-a74d-443106e6c621&envid=p-pvMek6pjgU-B7tOuo6bNFw&zone=usaCurrent needs: https://waypointnh.org/programs/want-to-helpVolunteer: https://waypointnh.org/programs/want-to-helpList of homeless sheltersSouthwestern Community Services, Sullivan County Housing Coalition 31 Pleasant Street, Claremont, NH 03743603-542-3160 Service/Intake603-504-8257 Daytime Availability - Claremont Cell603-477-6126 After Hours Availabilityhttps://www.scshelps.org/Friends Emergency Housing Program30 Thompson Street Concord, NH 03301603-228-1462 Service/Intakehttp://www.friendsprogram.orgEH@friendsprogram.orgFriends Program130 Pembroke Road Suite 200 Concord, NH 03301603-228-1193 Service/Intake603-226-3884 FAXhttp://www.friendsprogram.orgadmin@friendsprogram.orgBancroft HouseFranconia, NH 03580603-823-8842 Service/Intakehttp://www.thebancrofthouse.com/info@thebancrofthouse.comBelknap House200 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246603-527-8097 Service/Intakehttp://belknaphouse.orgexecdir@belknaphouse.orgNew Generation568 Portsmouth Avenue, Greenland, NH 03840603-436-4989 Service/Intake Shelter & General Phone, this number doubles as a fax line603-430-9482 Service/Intake Second Generation Thrift Shoppehttp://www.newgennh.orgoffice@newgennh.org Carey House177 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246603-528-8086 Service/Intakehttp://www.servingnewengland.org/Tri-County Community Action Program Burch House ShelterBusiness office: 30 Exchange Street Berlin, NH 03570(603) 444-0624http://www.tccap.org/services/homeless-shelter/Tyler Blain House56 Prospect Street Lancaster, NH 03584603-788-2344 Service/Intakehttp://www.tccap.org/homeless-lh.htmtbh@gmail.comFamily Place Resource177 Lake Avenue Manchester, NH 03103603-641-9441 ext. 304http://www.manchesternh.gov/CityGov/home.htmlfamilyplace@fitnh.orgNashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter2 Quincy Street Nashua, NH 03060(603) 889-7770https://nsks.org/Spring Street Emergency Shelter35 Spring Street, Nashua, NH 03060844-800-9911 Service/Intake603-889-2347 Faxhttp://www.nsks.orgolga@nsks.orgNew Horizons for New Hampshire199 Manchester Street Manchester, NH 03103603-668-1877 Service/Intakehttp://www.newhorizonsfornh.orgLiberty House, Inc.75 West Baker Street Manchester, NH 03103603-669-0761 Service/Intake603-669-8024 FAXhttp://www.libertyhousenh.orgSouthern NH Rescue Mission40 Chestnut Street Nashua, NH 03061603-889-3421 Service/Intakehttps://www.hope4nashua.org/office@nashuarescuemission.orgHope Center for Women36 Tolles Street, Nashua, NH 03064603-521-7127https://www.hope4nashua.org/our-facilities/Mercy House for Men40 Chestnut Street Nashua, NH 03060603-889-3421 Service/Intakehttps://www.hope4nashua.org/our-facilities/director@hope4nashua.orgBridge House260 Highland Street Plymouth, NH 03264603-536-7631 Service/Intakehttp://www.pemibridgehouse.org/bridgehouseinc@gmail.comCross Roads House600 Lafayette Road Portsmouth, NH 03801603-436-2218 Service/Intake, Night/Weekend intakehttp://www.crossroadshouse.org/info@crossroadshouse.orgFamilies in Transition (Hope House)16 Lehner Street Wolfeboro, NH 03894 603-641-9441 ext. 360 Service/Intakehttps://www.housingbenefitsnh.org/wolfeborohopehouse@fitnh.orgHomeless Center for Strafford County202 Washington St Rochester, NH 03867603-332-3065https://hcscnh.org/Home For Now202 Washington Street , Rochester, NH 03839603-332-3065 Service/Intakehttp://www.homelesscenterforstraffco.orgsheltermanager@homelesscenter.netHundred Nights Emergency Cold Weather Shelter17 Lamson Street, Keene, NH 03431603-352-5197 Service/Intakehttps://www.hundrednightsinc.orghundrednightsinc@gmail.comList of transitional housing organizations (via NH 211)Veterans Inc.10 Ferry Street, Concord, NH 03301800-482-2565 Toll Free603-717-1671 Service/Intakehttp://www.veteransinc.orginfo@veteransinc.orgNFI NorthTransitional Housing Services – Bradford2554 Route 103, Bradford, NH 03221603-938-5014 Service/Intake603-938-5060 Faxhttps://www.nfinorth.com/thsjeantewksbury@nafi.comFamily Promise of Greater Concord79 Clinton Street, Concord, NH 03301603-856-8490 Service/Intakeinfo@familypromisegcnh.orgNFRI North Transitional Housing 99 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 03301603-229-3903 Service/Intakehttps://www.nfinorth.com/thssharonbilodeau@NAFI.COM NH Bureau of Behavioral Health Department of Health and Human Services NH Hospital36 Clinton Street Concord, NH 03301800-852-3345 ext. 5300 Toll Free603-271-5300 Service/Intakehttp://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/nhh/index.htmWaypoint103 N. State Street Concord, NH 03301800-640-6486 Toll Free603-518-4000 Service/Intakehttps://www.waypointnh.orginfo@waypointnh.orgOn the Road to Wellness45 South Main Street Derry, NH 03038603-552-3177 Service/Intakehttp://otrtw.org/derry@otrtw.org Waypoint Youth Resource Center298 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104800-640-6486 Toll Free603-518-4380 Service/Intakehttps://www.waypointnh.orgshelterrefferals@waypointnh.orgWaypoint Dover728 Central Avenue #a Dover, NH 03820800-640-6486 Toll Free603-518-4000 Service/Intakehttps://www.waypointnh.orginfo@waypointnh.orgNew Generation568 Portsmouth Avenue, Greenland, NH 03840603-436-4989 Service/Intake Shelter & General Phone, this number doubles as a fax line603-430-9482 Service/Intake Second Generation Thrift Shoppehttp://www.newgennh.orgoffice@newgennh.orgFamily Promise of Southern NH3 Crown Street, Nashua, NH 03061603-883-7338 Service/Intake603-883-8335 FAXhttps://familypromisesnh.org/info@familypromisesnh.orgShelter from the Storm45 Knight Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452603-532-8222 Service/Intakehttp://www.shelterfromthestormnh.orgSFTSNH@gmail.comSouthwestern Community Services63 Community Way Keene, NH 03431-0603603-313-0212 Service/Intakehttps://www.scshelps.org/scs@scshelps.org Lakes Region Community Developers193 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246603-524-0747 Service/Intakehttp://www.lrcommunitydevelopers.orginfo@lrcommunitydevelopers.orgFamilies in Transition122 Market Street Manchester, NH 03101603-641-9441 ext. 257 Service/Intakehttp://www.fitnh.orgintake@fitnh.orgLiberty House, Inc.221 Orange Street, Manchester, NH 03104603-669-0761 Service/Intake603-669-8024 Faxhttp://www.libertyhousenh.orgjeff@libertyhouse.orgOn the Road to Wellness377 South Willow Street, Suite B2-4 Manchester, NH 03103603-623-4523 ext. 103 Service/Intake Members603-623-4523 ext. 105 Service/Intake Transportation800-306-4334 Service/Intake Warm Line Services 5pm-10pm 603-623-4523 ext. 102 Administrative Director of Operationshttp://otrtw.org/transitional-housing/david.b@otrtw.orgHarbor Care Housing Services77 Northeastern Boulevard Nashua, NH 03062 603-882-3616 Service/Intake 603-821-5620 Fax https://www.harborcarenh.org/get-help-index#housing-services-overviewhope@harborcarenh.orgVeterans First Transitional Housinghttps://www.harborcarenh.org/veterans-first-transitional-housing603-305-1122 Service/IntakeMarguerite's Place, Inc.87 Palm Street, Nashua, NH 03060603-598-1582 Service/Intakehttp://www.margueritesplace.org/info@margueritesplace.orgNashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter2 Quincy Street Nashua, NH 03061603-889-7770 Service/Intakehttp://www.nsks.orgolga@nsks.orgThe Front Door Agency Transformational Housing Program 12 Concord Street, Nashua, NH 03064603-886-2866 Service/Intake603-821-6054 Faxhttp://www.frontdooragency.orgMonadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS)Confidential Address Peterborough, NH 03458603-924-5033 Service/Intakehttp://www.matsnh.org/info@matsnh.orgHomeless Center of Strafford County202 Washington Street, Rochester, NH 03839603-332-3065 Service/Intakehttp://www.homelesscenterforstraffco.orgsheltermanager@homelesscenter.netSeacoast Family Promise27 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833603-658-8448 Service/Intakewww.seacoastfamilypromise.orgdirector@seacoastfamilypromise.org