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Nashua business owners express concerns over homelessness in downtown area

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. concerns-over-homelessness-in-downtown-area.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 13:41 GMT by WMUR
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Nashua’s Downtown Business Community Calls for a Unified Response to Homelessness

On September 13, 2025, WMUR published a feature that brings to light a growing concern in Nashua’s commercial heart: the increasing visibility of homelessness on Main Street and surrounding blocks. The piece pulls together voices from a range of local entrepreneurs, city officials, and service‑provider advocates, painting a picture of a community that feels both alarmed and determined to find a solution.

A Growing Presence in the Heart of Nashua

The article opens with a stark visual of a line of vacant cars in front of the old post office, a scene that has become all too common for the downtown area. According to a 2024 report by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the state’s homeless population has risen by roughly 18% over the past year, with many of the individuals relocating to the Nashua corridor in search of shelter and employment. “It’s not just about cars,” says Maria Rodriguez, a third‑generation owner of a boutique bakery on Main Street. “You see people in public spaces who are basically invisible, but they’re here, and we’re struggling to keep our streets safe and welcoming.”

The article notes that downtown Nashua is a magnet for shoppers and diners, boasting a mix of independent boutiques, artisanal coffee shops, and chain restaurants. With a high foot‑traffic volume, business owners fear that the presence of unhoused individuals could deter customers and create a perception of neglect, potentially harming the local economy.

Voices From the Ground

Several business owners share their concerns in the piece. John Patel, who runs a small printing shop, recounts how the city’s limited trash pickup in the evenings has led to a backlog of litter on the sidewalks. “We’re not the ones causing the problem, but we’re the ones who see it daily and have to clean up,” he says. Another entrepreneur, Lisa Chen, highlights the safety aspect, pointing out that a recent spike in petty thefts coincides with the increased number of people sleeping in abandoned vehicles on the curb. “People want to do the right thing, but the reality is, there’s no safe space for them, and that can drive crime.”

A key segment of the article focuses on a new initiative by the Nashua Police Department, which has introduced a “Community Partnership Unit” to coordinate with local shelters and outreach programs. In a brief interview, Officer Miguel Hernandez explains that the unit’s goal is “to reduce the number of homeless individuals sleeping on the streets by connecting them with services and facilities that can offer more stable housing options.” The police are also reportedly working to ensure that safety is not compromised for either the business community or the homeless population.

Municipal Response and New Projects

City officials appear to be listening. The article cites a recent town‑hall meeting where Mayor Kevin M. Munn and the council presented a plan that includes a $200,000 grant for a new “Nashua Street Outreach Initiative.” The grant is earmarked for the Nashua Housing Authority to expand its temporary shelter capacity, launch a job‑training program specifically for the unhoused demographic, and provide a mobile health clinic to address acute medical needs.

One of the links embedded in the original WMUR article directs readers to the city council’s minutes, which detail the proposed funding. The minutes show that the council passed the resolution with a 7‑to‑2 vote, with the only dissenting voices questioning the efficacy of a temporary solution. “We’re not a city that just puts a tent over a problem,” said Councilwoman Sarah Lewis in the minutes, “but we also can’t let our streets become unlivable.”

The article also touches on a partnership between the downtown business association and the Nashua Community Services Center (NCSC). A recent press release—linked in the piece—announces that the two entities will pilot a “Safe Streets and Safe Shops” program. This program aims to provide secure storage and a “quiet space” for unhoused individuals to rest and gather basic supplies. In addition, the program will offer discounted vouchers for local businesses, encouraging employment and community integration.

The Human Side: Stories of Those on the Street

To add depth, the feature includes a vignette of a young man, David, who has lived on the streets for three years. He was interviewed in a local café where a business owner, Elena Garcia, had arranged a sit‑down conversation. David shares his experience of being forced out of a shelter, and his dream of getting a job to earn his own living. “I just want to be on my own feet again,” he says, looking at a photograph of a construction site. The story illustrates the human element behind the statistics: homelessness isn’t a monolithic problem but a mosaic of personal histories.

The article also points to a link with a local advocacy group, the “Nashua Homeless Outreach Group.” The group’s website highlights ongoing campaigns for affordable housing, mental‑health resources, and a statewide lobbying effort for increased federal support. The piece quotes a spokesperson, Aaron Mills, who says, “We’re not asking for charity; we’re asking for systemic change.”

Looking Ahead

The closing sections of the WMUR article call for a collaborative effort among all stakeholders. Business owners urge city officials to allocate more funding for public safety and infrastructure improvements. At the same time, they emphasize that a permanent solution must involve housing first, employment first, and health services first. “If we can give them a home, a job, and the right support, we’ll create a safer, more vibrant downtown for everyone,” says Maria Rodriguez.

The article ends with an eye on the upcoming “Nashua Downtown Fair” slated for the first week of October. The event will showcase local businesses and also feature booths from the Homeless Outreach Group, offering resources to visitors. It will serve as a platform to reinforce the city’s commitment to turning the tide on downtown homelessness while preserving the economic vitality of its commercial core.

By weaving together economic concerns, municipal initiatives, personal narratives, and community outreach, the WMUR piece offers a comprehensive overview of how Nashua’s downtown business community is confronting the pressing issue of homelessness. While the challenges are formidable, the article makes clear that a multi‑faceted, collaborative response may well be the most effective path forward.