New Hampshire to use $7.7 million federal grant to combat homelessness

By Sarah Downey | The Center Square

New Hampshire is set to receive $7.7 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as part of its Housing Continuums of Care Grant.

“My administration has made it a priority to address New Hampshire’s housing shortage,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a news release. “The funding will be used to advance 54 local projects throughout the state to ensure that individuals and families have the support they need to bring stability into their lives. I look forward to working together with HUD, local officials, community organizations and providers to expand housing options and reduce the housing shortage in New Hampshire.”

The funding will go toward increasing permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, prevention, outreach, and coordinated entry.

The grant is part of a federal effort to end homelessness by providing funding to nonprofit providers, as well as state and local governments, in order to quickly help homeless individuals and families, while also minimizing the trauma and dislocation experienced by people and communities.

According to a news release from HUD, in 2019 most of the country experienced a combined decrease in homelessness, however significant increases on the West Coast, particularly California and Oregon, offset those nationwide decreases. This led to an overall increase in homelessness of 2.7 percent.

HUD’s 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that 567,715 persons experienced homelessness on a single night in 2019, which is up 2.7 percent from 2018, but a decline of nearly 11 percent compared to 2010.

The number of families with children experiencing homelessness has declined 5 percent from 2018 and more than 32 percent since 2010.

Additionally, reports from communities across the country show a continuing trend in reducing veteran homelessness. According to the HUD release, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness has fallen 2.1 percent since January 2018 and by 50 percent since 2010.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Deutsche Fotothek