[Letter to Senate Finance Committee re: SB415 – Shelter Appropriation]

Senator Gary Daniels, Chairman
Senate Finance Committee
State House, Room 103
107 North Main Street
Concord NH 03301

January 25, 2022

Dear Chairman Daniels and Honorable Members of the Finance Committee:

On behalf of Families in Transition, we are here today to express support for SB 415 to make an appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of increasing rates paid to emergency homeless shelters. Families in Transition provides a continuum of shelter, housing, and services to meet the needs of the state’s must vulnerable population. Included in this continuum are three emergency and specialty shelters provided in Manchester for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The Adult Emergency Shelter is the largest in the state, providing 138 beds, and the Family Shelter serves 11 households. In addition, Families in Transition operates a specialty shelter for families with children to assist them in successfully transitioning to permanent housing.

Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Housing Supports, provides operational funding for these three programs. The funding provided is imperative to provide these individuals and families with meals and access to food pantry items, safe sleeping space, hygiene needs (laundry/showers), and case management to assist in addressing those barriers that led to homelessness and support transitioning to stable housing. While Families in Transition has appreciated the financial support provided by the Bureau, it should be noted that these funds are not nearly sufficient to fully support the increased costs of operating these emergency/specialty shelters.

In Manchester, it costs Families in Transition $30 per person, per day, to provide adult emergency shelter and $76 per family unit per day. Both programs include the array of essential needs and supportive services provided to assist in meeting their daily living essentials and to work toward long term housing stability. The funding that the Bureau of Housing Supports currently provides is only $10 per adult/day and $25 per family unit/day. This is only 1/3rd of the true cost for emergency shelter beds and supportive services. It is difficult to continue to meet the financial gap of this difference when there are increased costs to operate facilities, including utilities, food, maintenance, and particularly staffing.

Families in Transition requests that you support SB 415. Help us demonstrate that those without a home deserve the best quality shelter and services as a bridge to long-term housing stability. This additional appropriation can make it possible for organizations like Families in Transition to ensure these essential services are provided with best practices and the most efficient and effective way. We look forward to working together to strengthen this safety net for those experiencing homelessness in our communities.

Thank you again,