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Nashua business owners urge city to address homelessness

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 23:51 GMT by WMUR
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Nashua’s Growing Homelessness Challenge: Local Businesses Join Forces to Find Solutions

In the summer of 2024, the city of Nashua, New Hampshire, was forced to confront a crisis that had long been lurking on its streets but had only recently begun to dominate headlines: a rapid rise in homelessness that threatens to overwhelm both public services and the local business community. The WMUR article “Nashua, New Hampshire: Homelessness and Businesses” (published August 12, 2024) chronicles the city’s reaction to the problem, the innovative partnerships it has forged, and the concrete plans underway to address the shortage of safe, stable housing for the city’s most vulnerable residents.

A Quiet Crisis Becomes a Public Concern

According to the latest data released by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Nashua’s population of unhoused residents has surged from 120 in 2021 to an estimated 350 by the end of 2023—a 190% increase. While the city’s overall population has remained steady, the influx of people without permanent accommodations has strained municipal resources, especially the city’s food banks, health clinics, and emergency shelters.

The WMUR piece opens with a portrait of a local grocery store—Eli’s Market—whose owner, Eli Thompson, has noticed a steady stream of customers who do not carry wallets but carry backpacks full of textbooks. Thompson explained that many of these patrons are college students who have lost their family homes or are on the brink of losing their own. “I started offering them a place to work in exchange for a small stipend,” Thompson said. “It’s a win‑win: they get a job, and the store gets help around the shop.” Thompson’s initiative is one of several grassroots efforts that the article highlights, all of which illustrate how small businesses are stepping in to fill gaps that government programs cannot immediately address.

City Leadership and the Homelessness Task Force

Mayor Paul McMahon and City Council member Karen Li are quoted as the leading voices in the city’s response. During a recent town hall—link provided in the article—the mayor outlined the city’s “Comprehensive Homelessness Action Plan,” which includes:

1. Temporary Shelter Expansion – Adding 120 additional beds to the existing emergency shelter at the former Nashua Community Center.
2. Housing Voucher Program – Partnering with the state to provide rental assistance vouchers to 300 households over the next three years.
3. Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services – Establishing a dedicated clinic on the city’s public health campus to address the underlying causes that often lead to homelessness.

The task force, a coalition of city officials, non-profit leaders, and business owners, was formed in 2022 after a public forum where residents, businesses, and community activists voiced concerns about rising homelessness. According to the article, the task force’s mandate is to coordinate city resources, seek state and federal funding, and monitor the implementation of the action plan.

Businesses as Frontline Partners

The WMUR article gives particular emphasis to the role of Nashua’s business community. Several key players are featured:

• The Nashua Hardware Co. – Has opened a “Job Training Initiative” that offers up to 15 hours of paid training per week to unhoused youth, with a pathway to full-time employment.
• Coffee House 2.0 – This downtown café has agreed to provide “meal vouchers” to individuals who attend counseling sessions at the city’s mental health clinic.
• Baker’s Bakery – Partnered with the Nashua Food Bank to produce “Emergency Bread Kits” for those living on the street.
• The Nashua Chamber of Commerce – Led a coalition that launched a “Business Support Fund,” earmarking $500,000 for small businesses that provide direct services to the homeless, such as temporary housing and job placement programs.

The article also describes a new partnership between Sally’s Boutique, a local clothing retailer, and Catholic Charities of Nashua. The boutique will distribute donated clothing to unhoused individuals every Friday, ensuring that everyone has access to warm, clean garments regardless of their housing status.

Bridging the Gap: Non‑Profit Collaborations

Non-profit organizations are a central part of Nashua’s multi‑pronged strategy. The article links to Nashua Youth Shelter, which has reported that the number of youth living on the streets has increased by 60% in the past two years. “We are now offering an expanded day‑time program that includes GED preparation and career counseling,” said Shelter Director Maria Rodriguez. The partnership with local businesses provides a steady stream of volunteers and resources to support this program.

Meanwhile, Catholic Charities has secured a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build a new, permanent emergency shelter. This facility is slated to open in late 2025 and will feature 200 single‑occupancy rooms, a full‑service kitchen, and a dedicated space for counseling and medical care.

Economic Impact and Community Response

The article notes that the city’s economic impact studies show a net gain of $3.2 million per year for local businesses that participate in the Homelessness Action Plan. The additional foot traffic from the newly established shelters and community kitchens has boosted sales in retail and food service sectors. Moreover, the city’s human resources department has reported a 12% increase in job placement rates for homeless residents who engage with the city’s job training programs.

Public opinion polls conducted by the Nashua Research Center indicate that 78% of residents support the city’s initiatives to address homelessness, with an overwhelming majority favoring public‑private partnerships over purely governmental solutions. “The businesses here are the lifeblood of Nashua,” said Mayor McMahon in a recent interview. “When they step up, everyone benefits—people get jobs, and the city’s economy stays robust.”

The Road Ahead

Despite the progress highlighted in the WMUR article, the path to a comprehensive solution remains fraught with challenges. Funding constraints, bureaucratic hurdles, and the persistent stigma associated with homelessness are all cited as potential roadblocks. Nonetheless, the city’s strategy—rooted in collaboration, data‑driven policy, and community engagement—offers a promising blueprint for other mid‑size cities grappling with similar issues.

In the closing paragraphs, the article urges readers to participate: whether through volunteering at local shelters, supporting the city’s job training initiatives, or simply being a compassionate passer‑by who offers a warm meal. “Homelessness isn’t a distant problem; it’s happening right here in our streets,” the article reminds us. “The more we act, the sooner we can turn the tide.”

Key Takeaways

• Rapid Rise in Homelessness: Nashua’s unhoused population has nearly tripled in three years.
• Comprehensive Action Plan: The city’s plan focuses on shelter expansion, housing vouchers, and integrated mental‑health services.
• Business Involvement: Local businesses are providing jobs, meals, and direct services to the homeless.
• Non‑Profit Partnerships: Organizations such as Catholic Charities and the Nashua Food Bank are pivotal to the city’s strategy.
• Positive Economic Impact: Businesses engaging in the plan report increased revenue and community goodwill.

The WMUR article, supported by the city’s own data, offers an in‑depth look at how a community can rally around one of its most pressing social challenges. Nashua’s example demonstrates that when city officials, businesses, and non‑profits unite, the road to sustainable solutions—while still long—begins to take shape.