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FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS MAY IMPEDE IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR POOR IN NH

The NH Coalition to End Homelessness has released its 2013 report on the State of Homelessness in New Hampshire.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2013

For more information, contact: Cathy Kuhn, PhD – 603-641-9441 ext. 251

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NH Coalition to End Homelessness releases its 2013 report on homelessness in NH.

MANCHESTER, NH – The NH Coalition to End Homelessness (NHCEH) has released its 2013 report on the State of Homelessness in New Hampshire.  Using economic, demographic, and other indicators, the report summarizes how conditions in NH have changed between 2009 and 2013.  Modeled after the State of Homelessness in America report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the purpose of the report is to increase awareness and understanding about current and future trends in homelessness.  The NHCEH concludes that, while trends among measured indicators point towards improving conditions for NH citizens, the impact of continued federal budget cuts is expected to hamper continued improvement.

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“The overall number of homeless people in the state remained relatively unchanged over the course of the last year, which is a positive sign given the fact that many families are still feeling the effects of the most recent economic recession,”  said Cathy Kuhn, PhD, Director of the NH Coalition to End Homelessness.  “However, continued budget cuts at the federal level may undo much of the progress made to ward off homelessness in communities across the state.”

Over the past year, the NHCEH reports improvements among several indicators, including the overall number of homeless persons (decrease of two percent) and the number of homeless persons in families (decrease of four percent).  However, other indicators worsened during that same time period, including homelessness among students (increase of three percent) and the number of people temporarily living with friends, family or nonrelatives for economic reasons (increase of 25 percent).

The full report can be read and downloaded at www.nhceh.org/2013Report.

The NH Coalition to End Homelessness is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of eliminating the causes of homelessness through research, education and advocacy.  For more information about the NHCEH and the report, visit www.nhceh.org or call 603-641-9441.

 

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