Coronavirus NH: Shelter Warns Of 'Wave of New Homelessness'

CONCORD, NH — Coronavirus hasn't changed the mission for the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, but ensuring the safety of people on the street and of the caseworkers helping them a worry for the future.

CCEH Director Ellen Groh said the outbreak has forced the agency to adjust how it helps clients. The visible change can be seen at the CCEH resource center at 238 N. Main St., which now boasts a large outdoor tent, bathrooms and a hand-washing station.

But it's what comes next that concerns Groh.

"Everyone is bracing for a wave of new homelessness," she told Patch, predicting a surge in homelessness once the state ends its moratorium on evictions and the court system restarts.

"That is coming," she adds. "The wave hasn't hit yet, but will be coming very soon."

So far, however, Groh said she's unaware of any coronavirus infections related to the homeless population in New Hampshire. In Concord, she estimates that 100 people are sleeping in their cars or in tents outside.

The situation could be far more serious come next winter, when shelters attempt to pack people into bunk beds to keep them warm during the freezing nights.

"We're starting to realize, this might not be over by next December," she said. "All of the shelters are struggling with the question, How do you isolate or quarantine shelter guests in congregate settings? Shelters are not typically designed for private space."

Plans are already in place to address a potential outbreak among the state's homeless population.

Earlier this month, New Hampshire Assistant Safety Commissioner Perry Plummer announced that state officials had designated unused buildings on the grounds of the old State School in Laconia to house any homeless who test positive for COVID-19.

And in Manchester, Mayor Joyce Craig published an open letter Thursday that detailed the city's efforts to place homeless individuals in hotel rooms. Manchester's emergency operations center is also working with nonprofits to establish temporary shelters, he said.

Citing guidelines from the Center for Disease Control to reduce the spread of infection, Craig said, the city will not break up homeless camps.

It's a delicate balancing act for city leaders and the already-strained network of homeless services.

For advocates like CCEH's Groh, however, the ultimate goal remains the same: Help individuals get off the street and into homes.

To that end, the nonprofit is continuing its "Safe Spaces II" initiative, which aims to renovate a downtown property into a four-unit apartment building for people exiting homelessness. The initiative recently announced a $75,000 donation from Merrimack County Savings Bank to complete the purchase and renovations.

"We can't let this outbreak overshadow the long-term goal," Groh said. "This is revealing how scant our safety net really is."