The Keene City Council’s Finance, Organization, and Personal committee has voted to inject an extra $900,000 of taxpayer funds into the city’s efforts to house the homeless, escalating the year’s total spending to $1.2 million. This decision underscores a strategic pivot from prior strategies, which primarily involved directing the homeless to non-costly shelters and services, towards a more direct financial intervention by the city.
Natalie Darcy, the city’s human services manager, reported a noticeable change in the behavior and expectations of those receiving rental and housing assistance during the pandemic. The influx of state and federal funds during this period, while critical, came with few eligibility restrictions, leading to a situation where recipients experienced a temporary uplift in living standards without corresponding accountability. As these funds have dwindled, the city has seen an uptick in housing instability among its residents.
The situation has been exacerbated by local shelters reaching capacity, compelling the city to rent an average of 23 hotel rooms nightly to provide emergency housing. With costs ranging from $1,700 to $5,000 per room per month, Keene is spending approximately $100,000 monthly on housing assistance. In some instances, the city has also covered up to three months of back rent to prevent evictions due to non-payment.
City Manager Elizabeth Dragon provided a stark comparison, noting the rise from 47 homeless individuals in the years 2018-2019 to the current assistance to about 300 people. This surge, she explained, is partly due to individuals seeking help in Keene from other towns, cities, and even states, attracted by the city’s robust support systems.
The statewide 211 system, which directs homeless individuals to available beds across New Hampshire, has played a part in this dynamic, with Keene frequently offering shelter to those from other regions. This has sparked a debate within the city about the scope and scale of its obligations, particularly in light of Dragon’s assertion that Keene has a “legal and moral” obligation to provide housing to those in need.
Councilor Kris Roberts expressed skepticism about the situation improving, suggesting that the end of pandemic-era support might lead to heightened expectations and dependency among the homeless population. Keene resident Charles Smith shared personal experiences of opening his home to the homeless, only to face challenges such as theft, leading him to reconsider his approach to charity. Smith questioned the broad reach of the city’s assistance, proposing a focus on residents of Cheshire County to better manage resources and expectations. He said he has heard from homeless people who love coming to Keene because they get to stay “at the Best Western.” He said “compassion is one thing but that responsibly is another,” and that the city shouldn’t offer everything to everyone on the planet.
This increased funding reflects Keene’s complex balancing act of offering support to the homeless while navigating the implications of expanded aid, community impact, and the sustainability of such initiatives. As the city moves forward, it faces the ongoing task of reconciling the immediate needs of its most vulnerable with the broader fiscal and social responsibilities to the entire community.
