Homelessness in New Hampshire is at a critical juncture. As state officials, municipalities, and advocates struggle to find solutions to the problem, the impact of the crisis has become urgent– affecting families, businesses, and towns, community services and providers, and the mental and physical health of those experiencing homelessness themselves. While discussion about housing often gets stuck on the hurdles of the high cost of real estate, workforce v. affordable housing, local zoning and new building proposals, it’s clear that our state needs to take immediate action to find safe and lawful places for individuals and families to live now.

People living with a disability, including mental illness, substance use disorders, and physical and intellectual disabilities, are overrepresented in the homeless population, and those with a disability face additional barriers when trying to find housing or get out of homelessness. Discrimination, a lack of accessible facilities, limited transportation and necessary healthcare options, can all make it much more difficult for those individuals to find and keep housing. It is hard enough for anyone in our society to navigate housing, transportation, welfare, and social services systems: imagine how hard it is, and dehumanizing, for someone with a disability or a severe mental illness.

The NH Community Behavioral Health Association believes that what’s needed is a proactive approach to addressing homelessness and finding appropriate and safe housing for those with disabilities. First, we need to determine what kinds of housing are needed most and what kinds of beds are available now. The 2023 New Hampshire Statewide Housing Needs Assessment found that the state needs 60,000 more housing units between 2020 and 2030, and nearly 90,000 units between 2020 and 2040. In 2022, ARPA funds under the SRRF (State Fiscal Recovery Fund) went to the regional planning commissions to break down the first 60,000 units needed by region. We need to break these numbers down even further, to reflect how many units are needed for those living with a disability or mental illness.

We also need to rethink the solutions available to us to address the housing shortage and homelessness crisis in the timeliest way. The types of housing most appropriate for people with a disability often vary. There is supported housing, transitional housing, congregate housing, emergency housing, family housing, multifamily housing, assisted housing, and more. However, advocates and decision makers often disagree on what the best options are, and where we should start. Further, some municipalities oppose expanding the size of accessory dwelling units to 1000 square feet and two bedrooms, and other zoning solutions that may alleviate the crisis. We must take steps now to start implementing new and effective ideas, rather than getting mired in these tired debates.

New Hampshire needs a housing champion. A number of agencies, commissions, work groups and initiatives have formed around the issues of homelessness and encampments. These include the NH Finance Authority; the Coalition to End Homelessness; the Council on Housing Stability; the Statewide Continuum of Care for Housing; Waypoint; Families in Transition; Housing Action NH; and others. There are also city and town welfare departments, homeless shelters, cold weather shelters, and emergency shelters. There are many, many individuals and agencies who are working diligently to solve this problem. Truly, all community members and all levels of government need to come together to work on this issue– but leadership needs to come from the top.

In 2023, eight of NH’s thirteen mayors wrote to the Governor asking for help with homeless populations – specifically, federal funds to be allocated for more shelter beds and resources. As Strafford County Commissioner George Maglaras said at the time: “Right now the state says the responsibility lies with municipalities, but that is completely unreasonable. We need public and private partnerships to create systems that work. We need the state to be actively involved and I think they should take the leadership role on the need for more beds. To ask municipalities to take this on is insanity and not good public policy.”

Our state is at a tipping point. We sincerely hope that our new Governor-elect takes this to heart and puts the problem of homelessness, especially as it impacts those living with a disability, on her action list for Day One.

Maggie Pritchard is CEO of Lakes Region Mental Health Center in Laconia and President of the NH Community Behavioral Health Association.