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Merrimack County reviews homelessness response as commissioners approve cold-weather grants
Summary
County staff and partner agencies told commissioners the local homelessness population has grown in recent years and that limited shelter capacity is forcing reliance on emergency options. The board approved allocation of state cold-weather shelter funds to local providers after discussion; one commissioner recorded an objection.
Merrimack County commissioners heard an extended briefing on the county’s homelessness response and approved distribution of state cold-weather shelter funds to local service providers.
County and provider staff told the board that the countywide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) count showed about 330 unhoused individuals or households as of Aug. 19, 2025, up from 29 in 2019; staff cautioned that improved counting and PIT methods account for part of the rise but that tight rental markets and long wait lists for behavioral-health care are also drivers.
Presenters described the local shelter network: McKenna House is the most frequently used congregate shelter in Concord but typically has just 20–24 beds and is often full; Family Promise serves families but requires families to rotate between host sites every two weeks; the emergency winter shelter provides overnight-only capacity; and limited hotel placement is available (staff said only one Concord hotel, Best Western, reliably accepts guests under voucher arrangements). Navigator staff emphasized that many people seeking help have some income (county data cited 60% with SSI/SSDI or wages) but cannot meet market rents.
Staff outlined collaboration among municipalities, the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, Friendly Kitchen, Riverbend Community Mental Health, the county’s navigator program and other nonprofits. The county’s recent additions include a project manager for the Coalition (hired with Granite United Way and City of Concord funds) and a new large supportive-housing project in Franklin that has already helped reduce veteran homelessness locally.
Commissioners also reviewed how the county applies for and distributes state cold-weather shelter funds (Department of Health and Human Services, via the state’s homeless services bureau). Merrimack County serves as the single county applicant and subawards to local organizations. Staff described prior-year uses such as extended shelter hours, furnace repairs, volunteer training and wardrobes for family shelters; last year the county passed through about $219,000 and spent nearly all of it.
At the meeting the board voted to allocate the new round of cold-weather funds among the applicants on the score sheet provided by staff. The motion passed; a recorded objection was made during the voice vote. (Individual roll-call tallies were not read into the public transcript.)
Why this matters: County staff said the combination of low rental vacancy, long behavioral-health wait lists and demand for services means local shelters and navigators are continuing to house people each week but that capacity remains constrained. The cold-weather funding is designed as a short-term, winter-focused intervention to keep people safe while partner agencies continue case management and housing searches.
Commissioners and staff said they will continue coordinating with municipal welfare directors and provider partners on referrals, hotel voucher use and data improvements to better track inflow from other communities.
Ending note: Staff encouraged commissioners to continue supporting the navigator and coalition efforts; one commissioner asked staff to identify outreach steps for municipalities where part-time welfare officers may miss the state funding application deadline.
