Protestors Arrive At Growing Homeless Camp Outside Courthouse

MANCHESTER, NH — A homeless encampment on the lawn of the Hillsborough County Courthouse on Chestnut Street has grown since the beginning of summer.

The area, and how to deal with the homeless population, has become a controversial discussion between the state and the city of Manchester.

The encampment has reached approximately 35 tents which house multiple people who are homeless. The track of land on both ends of the courthouse is property which is owned by the state of New Hampshire.

The gray area of enforcement comes from the fact that Hillsborough County leases the building from the state — but the outside is not leased. The city of Manchester can enforce criminal acts which occur on the property but cannot order anyone to be removed. The people living on the land say it is a convenient location to services including medical, mental health, and legal services. It also allows them to be close to organizations that provide food to them.

Manchester Fire, Health Department and Manchester Mental Health have a homeless outreach team that visits the courthouse and many other encampments to check on the people each day. The courthouse property is located diagonally from Manchester Fire Headquarters.

Twelve mayors from cities across New Hampshire reached out to the state asking for assistance and a coordinated response to the growing homeless population. Mayor Craig of Manchester has had strong words about the lack of help from the state. Gov. Chris Sununu at a recent press releases stressed state workers are engaged with the homeless population and coordinating services.

Available beds at shelters are lower because of social distancing spacing requirements due to the pandemic. As the weather becomes colder more beds are needed but not available. A shelter for the Manchester area is a block from the courthouse encampment.

On Nov. 6, the state erected "No Camping" signs on the courthouse property, and put notices up that people must vacate the property by Nov. 16.

A few members of NH State Police, and MPD were in the area on Monday but no actions were taken.

Approximately 30 people in protest of the eviction showed up Monday and that number grew throughout the day. The groups held signs, sang songs, and offered support to the people in the encampments. Some people who came indicated they were from Manchester, and many others were from other areas.

As of Monday evening the encampments and the people living in the space remain on-site.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news.