Numbers on NH's Homeless Not Getting Better

Between 2014 and 2015, the number of people experiencing homelessness remained unchanged, stalling after progressive declines over the past several years, according to the NH Coalition to End Homelessness’s 2015 report on the State of Homelessness in NH.

The report examines homelessness in the state between 2011 and 2015 using economic and demographic indicators. However, the report notes that many new initiatives to combat homelessness went online during the past year, including the implementation of a statewide coordinated entry system to streamline the process of finding housing for those who are chronically homeless, the reestablishment of the NH Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, and statewide efforts to end homelessness among NH’s veterans. The report found in NH:

• After decreasing marginally by 3 percent between 2013 and 2014, the number of people experiencing homelessness remained essentially the same over the last year, declining by two people. Other data from the report include:

• A 33% decline in the number of people living unsheltered;

• A 21% decline in Veterans experiencing homelessness;

• A 24% increase in the average income of the working poor;

• An 8% increase in the number of people in families experiencing homelessness. The full report can be accessed at nhceh.org/Report.