Manchester Making Homeless Camps Safer For Coronavirus Exposure

MANCHESTER, NH - Manchester is continuing to take steps to work with the homeless population during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The New Horizon shelter located on Manchester Street had a large population inside and outside the shelter congregating and causing concern for the spread of Coronavirus. The city of Manchester arranged for all staff and residents to be tested for COVID-19.

The testing was set up by Manchester Fire, AMR, CMC, and Manchester Health Department. According to the State of NH, only a few residents came back with positive tests.
Several residents of the shelter expressed concern and began to move away from the shelter.

Homeless camps began to expand from a few tents to multiple tents under the Amoskeag Bridge on Canal Street, and along the banks of the Merrimack River near Granite Street.
The CDC's guidelines surrounding individuals living with homelessness amid COVID-19 states. "unless individual housing units are available, do not clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19."

According to MFD Chief Dan Goonan clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers. This increases the potential for infectious disease spread.

Due to a partnership with the State and the Manchester Emergency Operations Center, fencing and port-a-toilets are being added to homeless encampments.

Governor Sununu also recently signed off on a Justice Assistance Grant for the Manchester Police Department to provide 24/7 patrols of the areas to help keep the encampments and surrounding neighborhoods safe. All of this comes at no cost to the city.

On Tuesday over 20 tents were set up under the Amoskeag Bridge along Canal Street. Workers have installed the temporary fencing, added toilets, and handwashing stations.
In speaking with some of those occupying the camps they said that they feel safer being away from the “COVID ridden shelter”. They also expressed the need to remain near downtown Manchester. According to one person at the camp, the city had asked if they would be willing to be relocated to a neighboring town if the city arranged transportation. The resident expressed concern about moving away from downtown and city services.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news