Remove Manchester homeless camps?
This month, the city of Manchester and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation evicted the residents of homeless camps along the Merrimack River. The inhabitants say it is public property and they have a right to be there. Others say the homeless camps are unsightly and that residents, when drunk, will cross the highway causing danger to themselves and others.
Read more about issues related to homelessness in New Hampshire
“Do you agree with Manchester’s decision to remove homeless camps from along the Merrimack River?”
Discussion held on Citizens Count NH website and Facebook page May 22, 2018
No: 97 citizens were opposed to removing Manchester homeless camps.
- “Kicking them out with no plan in place to house them or help them find other accommodations is ridiculous. Where do you expect them to go?”
- “If they're not doing any harm then let them be for crying out loud! One miserable person complains and you treat them like this!”
- “Leave them alone, unless you have a plan in place to actually help them. They are not on private property so they are not trespassing.”
Yes: 49 citizens were in favor of removing Manchester homeless camps.
- “Homeless ‘camps’ are hotbeds of criminal activity, filthy conditions, and drag the surrounding areas down.”
- “The density of these individuals has become too problematic for the community and residents don't deserve to suffer the effects. Best to nip this in the bud in light of what we've seen developing in places like California and Hawaii.”
- “I've been homeless twice, and recently. Tear the camps down, they actually hinder and enable the situation. Do it for them as well as the town.”
Other: 54 citizens addressed their comments to related questions and issues.
These included questions:
- Causes of homelessness: “This is exactly what happens when incomes are low and rents are high. Almost everybody commenting on this thread is more than likely a paycheck away from being homeless.”
- Alternative solutions: “Make it into a tiny home village that if they want to be there, they have to maintain up keep and pay a fee for municipal services.”
- Logistics: “Where are they supposed to go? Are the Manchester Town Offices providing shelter, an alternative location, anything?”
*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.
