City of Dover issued the following announcement on November 5.
Work continues this week to find services, support and housing for people at a homeless encampment on private property in Somersworth. The encampment is adjacent to Willand Pond and is set to be cleared by Somersworth Police on Monday, Nov. 8. Police plan to refer people at the site to available services and have no intentions of making arrests. Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) continues to work with the cities of Somersworth, Rochester and Dover, and local, state and federal agencies to reach out to those living at the encampment and connect them with services before Nov. 8.
In detailing plans on how officers will clear the property, Somersworth Police Chief David Kretschmar said the department's goal is to not arrest anyone at the encampment, including those who may have outstanding arrest warrants for low-level, non-violent misdemeanors and felonies. Department officers have contacted those living there to inform them of Somersworth Police's intentions to clear the site on Nov. 8 and that officers do not plan to arrest anyone. On Nov. 8, officers will direct those at the encampment needing services to the Strafford County Extreme Weather Warming Center on Willand Road in Somersworth, where CAPSC and partnering agencies will be available. Kretschmar discussed the department's plans at an Oct. 21 Somersworth City Council workshop and again Wednesday at a CAPSC partner meeting.
The private property owner has requested assistance from Somersworth Police to clear the property to address health and safety concerns on the site and plans to market the property. In cooperation with the cities of Rochester and Dover, Somersworth requested CAPSC help coordinate services for people at the encampment before the property is cleared. CAPSC is coordinating the effort with numerous local, state and federal agencies to connect people with services. Under state welfare statutes, municipalities are required to provide emergency shelter, food and medical care.
CAPSC estimates that services were provided to about 32% of the encampment population and that no one refused help. Services provided include providing food, showers and laundry, referrals for medical care, substance use disorder help, and assistance with housing applications. One person at the encampment reconnected with their previous landlord and will be moving back to that housing in the next couple of weeks.
At a Dover City Council workshop Wednesday on homeless services, CAPSC Chief Executive Officer Betsey Andrews Parker spoke of numerous challenges in providing services, with limited shelter space and housing supply being chief among them. Andrews Parker urged regional landlords to consider accepting Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), formerly known as Section 8, to help transition those living in shelters and transitional housing into permanent housing, thereby freeing up limited shelter space for those currently without housing.
Dover Housing Authority Executive Director Ryan Crosby said HCV would pay up to 110% of Fair Market Rates as determined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "This means landlords get paid consistently, even in a pandemic — even if tenants become unemployed," Crosby said. "Landlords get predictable income with additional protections and policies to help them manage tenants more effectively. In the short term, this is the solution. We cannot build enough public housing fast enough to solve this crisis. We need landlords to decide to offer their existing properties at HUD rates."
To become an HCV landlord, contact the local housing authority for more information. Dover Housing Authority can be contacted at 603-742-5804; Somersworth Housing Authority at 603-692-2864; and Rochester Housing Authority at 603-332-4126. For municipalities without a housing authority, contact the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority at 1-800-439-7247.
CAPSC continues to seek donations of specific items to help provide services.
- Wagons to help people move their belongings to their destination
- Sleeping bags
- Tents
- Gift cards to local restaurants or supermarkets for meals or other necessities
- Gas cards for individuals with vehicles
- Meals on triage days for both clients and volunteers at the site
- Monetary donations that can be used to support services for those in need
- Assistance with vehicle repairs
Original source can be found here.
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