NH DHHS Releases Data Assessing State’s Homeless Population

Concord - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),

Bureau of Homeless and Housing Services (BHHS), announces the results of

the one-day statewide Point-in-Time (PIT) count of homeless individuals and

families. This count took place on 1/23/13 from 12:00 midnight to 11:59

p.m. and targeted city/town welfare offices, homeless shelters, hospitals,

police departments, soup kitchens, food pantries, outreach workers, and

other organizations serving homeless people in New Hampshire. The count is

undertaken as a coordinated effort between the three local homeless

Continuums of Care, Nashua, Manchester and the “Balance of State” which

BHHS coordinates.



Results of this one-day count revealed there were 2,576 homeless

individuals across the state. This represents a 6% increase in the number

of homeless individuals from 2012 (2,438 individuals). Of that number

1,243 were sheltered (down 9% from 2012); 442 were unsheltered (up 17% from

2012); 891 individuals were temporarily doubled up (temporarily residing

with family or friend, a 20% increase from 2012); 418 were families (which

is a 3% increase of families that were homeless in 2012). Also, of the

1,520 adults surveyed, 37% (562) self reported a severe and persistent

mental illness, 35% (533) reported having a substance abuse issue, 11%

(165) were veterans, and 32% (481) were chronically homeless.



“It is troubling to see the rise in the number of people who do not have a

place to call home,” said DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas. “This data

underscores the need for us to continue to work together to find solutions

to end homelessness, especially in a time of limited resources as there are

far too many individuals and families that do not have a permanent place to

live.”



BHHS coordinates this Point-in-Time count in order to gather an accurate

and unduplicated count of homeless individuals and families across the

state. As part of the funding BHHS receives from the US Department of

Housing and Urban Development, this count is required to identify the needs

created by the ongoing issue of homelessness; both sheltered and

unsheltered, in New Hampshire.



“The annual PIT count provides the BHHS with data to identify both who is

homeless in the state, and where they are located on a given day,” said

BHHS Administrator Maureen Ryan. “BHHS strives to obtain as accurate a

count as possible through statewide coordination of this effort and

eliciting participation from a wide range of service providers and other

organizations. This information helps us ensure services are targeted at

the areas and populations in need.”

Read Full Report Here --> PointInTime Homeless Report 2013