New Hampshire Senate weighing bill that would spend federal funds on homelessness prevention

Another $5 million could soon be going to help with the crisis of homelessness in New Hampshire, but some are wondering if the programs being pitched are duplicates of others already being funded.The new proposal would spend millions of American Rescue Plan funds on a homelessness-prevention pilot program.The state Department of Health and Human Services would oversee it, with the money going to cities and towns for eviction prevention, rehousing or shelters."Investing in homelessness-prevention programs is a proactive strategy that can help people on the verge of homelessness to maintain stable housing," State Sen. Donovan Fenton, D-Keene, said.Fenton introduced the bill. Keene Mayor Jay Kahn, a Democrat, also spoke at the bill's hearing Wednesday, saying that 39 percent of the people in the Keene shelter come from outside Cheshire County. He supports the bill."We need a funding mechanism that recognizes this reality and directs more funds to the communities that are receiving homeless people," Kahn said.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<Several others recognized that the bill has good intentions but needs further clarification and amendment. "It could be another prong to a multi-faceted challenge," said Todd Marsh, of the New Hampshire Local Welfare Administrators' Association.DHHS officials said the actions in this bill are similar to their current housing stabilization program. They hope to introduce a bill amendment that reduces duplication to that program."That does have that workable formula for both cities and towns as well as for us to be able to distribute the funds effectively and quickly," Jenny O'Higgins, of NH DHHS, said.In this bill, the amount of money allotted to towns or cities is based on the number of Medicaid enrollees in those areas.The bill is being considered by the Health and Human Services Committee at the New Hampshire Senate.