NASHUA, NH — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded over $2.2 million to the Greater Nashua Continuum of Care (GNCOC). This funding will ensure ongoing support for up to 89 units of permanent supportive housing and services for individuals and families, including veterans, who are chronically homeless and living with disabilities within Nashua and surrounding towns.
Most of the funds will support private rental units in the community, with case managers from homeless services agencies working closely with residents and landlords to ensure long-term community tenure and independence. Additionally, funds will provide support for a five-bed “Safe Haven” for individuals with disabilities experiencing homelessness, who are otherwise unable to live independently. Around-the-clock staff will be in place to help stabilize residents and transition them to more independent living. The funds will also contribute to an employment support program that provides opportunities for local community members, especially those with lived experience, and of diverse backgrounds, to earn a meaningful income within a supportive environment, performing maintenance, janitorial, and other services.
“We are grateful to HUD and its Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs for renewing funding for local rehousing programs. We will use these funds to continue our efforts to reduce unsheltered and chronic homelessness throughout the Greater Nashua Continuum of Care,” said Wendy LeBlanc, Chair of the GNCOC.
The Greater Nashua Continuum of Care, formalized in 1995, includes the City of Nashua and nine surrounding communities in Hillsborough County. The GNCOC is composed of nonprofit agencies (shelters, food pantries, transitional housing, domestic violence, and permanent supportive housing agencies), service providers, the banking and business communities, faith-based organizations, veteran service organizations, welfare, educational institutions, youth organizations, representation from federal and state government, current and formerly homeless households, and other concerned citizens, emphasizing the importance of individuals with lived experience and diverse backgrounds.
Each year, HUD announces a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the GNCOC program nationally. As the GNCOC’s Collaborative Applicant, Harbor Care, Greater Nashua’s largest provider of permanent supportive housing for the homeless, establishes a committee comprised of people with lived experience, city and state officials, health and human service providers, and other organizations that serve individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This group volunteers their time to prepare and submit the funding application for the GNCOC.
Following the guidelines of the Nashua Consolidated Plan and national best practices in ending homelessness, many goals have been realized, including achievement of an effective end of veteran homelessness, additional affordable housing units, increased participation from towns in the GNCOC geographical area, and from the business community, and greater awareness of and involvement in local, state, and national legislative issues concerning homelessness.
The GNCOC is actively developing a plan to end youth homelessness in Greater Nashua and will soon release dedicated funding for this purpose. The GNCOC actively encourages individuals with lived experience and of diverse backgrounds to participate in our initiatives. Individuals and businesses are invited to attend our monthly general meetings, held every 1st Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. in Nashua City Hall Auditorium or contact us to learn more: www.nashua-coc.org.
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