Governor creates housing council to help with homelessness

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has created a Council on Housing Stability to create an affordable housing plan for residents and update the state’s plan on homelessness, in response to a letter from mayors asking for his help.

The Republican Sununu, in an executive order Wednesday, said the council would submit a preliminary plan to include legislative recommendations for the 2021 session by Dec. 14, with a final plan shortly after that.

Members on the council will include a parent and a young adult with current or recent experience with housing instability. It also calls for representatives of many New Hampshire departments and agencies, such as education, health and human services, veterans affairs; the Community Development Finance Authority; and Continuum of Care for Housing. Representatives from many other areas, such as religion, mental health, children, and municipal and legislative governments also are included.

Earlier this month, the mayors asked for help with a statewide strategy to assist the homeless. They said the last statewide homelessness plan is from 2006 and a new one is needed for an increase of “supportive, transitional and affordable housing options” for couples; victims of domestic violence; families; felons; and increased access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services.