Homelessness in the Region

According to New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Point in Time Count:

• Between 2023 and 2024, Rockingham and Strafford Counties saw decreases of 10.8% and 36.4%, respectively, in the Point-in-Time counts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Despite these overall reductions, unsheltered homelessness nearly doubled in Rockingham County and surged by 1080% in Strafford County.

• On any given night in 2024, there are nearly 400 individuals experiencing homelessness in Rockingham and Strafford Counties.

•  On any given night in 2024, close to 100 individuals and family members experiencing homelessness in Rockingham and Strafford Counties go unsheltered.

  • Most of the area’s shelters are consistently at or above capacity on a year round basis

• Approximately 725 students enrolled in public schools in Rockingham and Strafford Counties during the 2019-2020 school year were reported as experiencing homelessness at some point during the academic year.

• A rising number of individuals experiencing homelessness are employed either full or part time

A lack of affordable housing in the region has been identified as the most significant barrier in accessing stable housing post-shelter, and contributing to eviction, which in many cases, leads to homelessness.