"The Department of Housing Stability will reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in Manchester by way of City-wide coordinated response, increased access to sustainable housing,
and leadership both locally and State-wide."
39 Beech Street Shelter
603-413-1775
Check In at 9pm
We warmly welcome homeless adult men, women, and couples. Our facility offers on-site meals, storage for tents and personal belongings, and provides 40 beds in a communal open space for sleeping. Guests have access to private showers and bathrooms, which are wheelchair accessible. Check-in is available until 9 PM, with a daily bed hold policy.
39 Beech Street Engagment Center
603-413-1775
9am - 5pm Daily
The EC operates as a centralized service hub open 7 days a week for Manchester residents facing housing instability. We provide essentials like showers, bathrooms, meals, and clothing. On-site local providers assist with substance abuse treatment, mental health support, medical care, housing navigation, and employment services. Our objective is to dismantle barriers to housing such as missing vital records, identification, income, and challenging histories related to housing, credit, and criminality. Additionally, the EC hub aggregates data on homelessness, fostering a city-wide understanding of its causes and effective interventions.
Our Mission
In recent years, the challenge of homelessness and housing instability has grown significantly in Manchester, reflective of broader national trends. New Hampshire, in particular, faces high rental costs, being ranked 13th in the nation, with rental prices projected to increase by 11.4% annually. Hillsborough County has seen a 47% rise in rent prices over the past five years. Consequently, a significant portion of the state's homeless population is found in our county, primarily in Manchester. The scarcity of available rental units, marked by a 0.6% vacancy rate, further exacerbates the housing issue. Currently, there's a shortfall of 23,670 housing units in the state, and it's estimated that an additional 60,000 units will be needed by 2030 to meet the growing demand.
The establishment of the Department of Housing Stability represents a structured response to these housing challenges. The department's primary aim is to alleviate the housing difficulties faced by our residents through coordinated and systematic efforts. By addressing barriers to housing such as adverse credit or rental histories, the department endeavors to broaden housing accessibility.
Furthermore, the Department of Housing Stability will engage in diligent efforts to bridge the gap between existing federal and state housing provisions and the actual housing needs of our citizens. This includes optimizing the use of Federal HUD funding received through the New Hampshire homeless Continuums of Care, and advocating for additional resources to enhance emergency shelter capacities, especially for families.
Amid the multifaceted challenges of homelessness and housing instability, worsened by the pandemic and its impact on employment, mental health, and overall well-being, the Department of Housing Stability stands as a structured effort towards improving housing conditions in our city. Through its initiatives, the department underscores Manchester's commitment to providing a supportive housing environment for all residents, particularly the vulnerable segments of our population - the elderly, the disabled, and children. By addressing the housing crisis, the Department of Housing Stability aims to contribute to a more stable and supportive living environment in Manchester, ensuring the well-being and stability of all its residents.