Homelessness

In our March issue, Street Spirit features Carol Harvey on "People's Power and the Struggle Against Poverty," linking civil resistance in Middle Eastern countries with progressive demonstrations in the US Midwest.  ALSO: Judy Lightfoot, Lynda Carson, Arnie Alpert, Aura Kanegeis.  Paul Bodin of Western Regional Advocacy Project, on the obsolescence and loss of public housing nationwide.  Lydia Gans and Buford Buntin on "food insecurity" in the SF Bay area.  Labor historian David Bacon on firings and deportations from burrito chain Chipotle.

maggie fogarty, 3/10/11

Maggie Fogarty testifies before the NH House Finance Committee in Representatives Hall at the State House.

“Shelters are a matter of life and death for homeless people in New Hampshire,” Maggie Fogarty told the NH House Finance Committee today at a hearing full of heart-wrenching stories about the devastating effects of budget cuts being contemplated by the state legislature.

For hours on end New Hampshire residents provided testimony to the Committee about the need for services for people with mental illness and physical disabilities, and also called for adequate funding for other services vital to a dignified life.

With proposed cuts to critical housing programs coming from both the Federal and State levels, housing advocates are warning that New Hampshire may see significant increases in homelessness and find itself without enough resources to provide basic shelter.

In addition to some cuts included in Obama’s proposed FY 2012 budget, the US House of Representatives is considering drastic cuts to housing programs for funding the remainder of FY 11. The federal budget has been running at 2010 funding levels via a Continuing Resolution that is due to expire March 4th. 

mark barker, Dec. 21, 2010

Mark Barker reads the names of 13 homeless or formerly homeless people who died in New Hampshire in 2010.

Homeless Memorial Day Vigil Held in Concord on the Longest Night of the Year

At a vigil held on State House Plaza in Concord, in the shadow of a giant Christmas tree, thirty-eight people held candles and sang in remembrance of thirteen homeless and formerly homeless people who died in New Hampshire 2010.  Other Homeless Memorial Day vigils took place in Keene, Lebanon, Laconia, Conway, Claremont, Manchester, and Nashua.