Story Archives of 'homelessness'

Manchester takes a stand against homelessness. The city’s mayor, Frank Guinta, recently called homelessness “unacceptable” and released his ten-year plan to end it. We’ll look at what his proposal aims to do, how it compares to past efforts in New Hampshire, and who’s involved in this endeavor. The plan brings in everyone - government, the public, non-profits, and the private sector. We'll also hear from Nashua, one of America's success stories when it comes to reducing homelessness.

Guests

• Keith Kuenning of the New Hampshire Coalition To End Homelessness
• Mary Sliney, director of The Way Home, a transitional shelter for the homeless

We'll also hear from

• Dick Anagnost, a private developer who has built affordable housing units throughout New Hampshire
• Frank Guinta, Mayor of Manchester
• Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor of Nashua

Author Chris Bohjalian is perhaps best known for his novel "Midwives." His new book "The Double Bind" is based on the life of a homeless man in Vermont who left behind a legacy of museum-quality photographs of American musicians and artists. Bohjalian's book combines that man's life with the fictitious characters in the F. Scott Fiztgerald novel The Great Gatsby. We'll talk with Chris about the reality of homelessness, and the imaginary reality of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan's legacy.

On any given day, 200-thousand veterans in the United States are homeless.

The Department of Veterans affairs estimates more than a half million veterans may experience homelessness during the course of a year.

In New Hampshire, only three veteran housing programs exist in the state – with room for fewer than 80 veterans.

But new construction is underway in Nashua to provide the first veteran’s housing for men, women, and their families – all under one roof.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton has more.

Generally thought of as an “urban” problem, many in the Granite state might be surprised to learn that on any given night, over thirty-two hundred find themselves without a permanent home in New Hampshire. Another surprise, the average age of a homeless person in the Granite State...nine years old. Now a new plan, released today hopes to end homelessness in our state in ten years... through affordable housing, through better programs and through heightened awareness. Today on the Exchange, we’ll find out more about the plan as well as the plight, the hopes and the future of our state's often too silent homeless population. Laura's guests are Keith Kuenning, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness. Peter Kelleher, Executive Director of Harbor Homes Inc., an non-profit organization in Nashua that provides residential and support services to the homeless and those suffering from mental illness. Peter is also the Chair of the New Hampshire Interagency Council on Homelessness, who is releasing this 10-year plan report. Emily Madison, formerly homeless for about 9 months, Emily now works as a Program Manager for Harbor Homes. Ellen Wheatley, Head Start Administrator for the State of New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth, and Families and TBA.

Click here to learn more about the National Interagency Council on Homelessness and other states' 10-year plans to end Homelessness.

Lynn Hood of Manchester was living in the woods and eating at church dinners while pregnant. Now she's able to be self-sufficient with help from the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness.