WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster, N.H.-D2, and Chris Pappas, N.H.-D1, have called for additional funding in the next COVID-19 relief package to support those who are experiencing – or at risk of experiencing – homelessness. New Hampshire has received significant funding from the CARES Act that Congress passed into law to support New Hampshire’s homeless population and affordable housing for Granite Staters, but additional support is necessary as New Hampshire grapples with changing homelessness and housing needs.

“Ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness have the resources that they need to practice social distancing and self-quarantine if needed is critical to mitigating the spread of the virus, both now and over the coming months,” the delegation wrote. “New Hampshire’s homelessness services have been working to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with safe places to shelter, maintain personal hygiene, and receive supportive services, but we know that there is much more to do.”

The N.H. Congressional Delegation also raised the importance of supporting renters so that they can stay in their homes and called for the next COVID-19 relief package to include Senator Hassan’s Prevent Evictions Act. “The $4 billion allocation for Emergency Solutions Grants in the CARES Act will help provide some relief, through emergency assistance and eviction prevention activities such as landlord-tenant mediation,” wrote the NH Congressional Delegation. “Including the Prevent Evictions Act, which would provide additional grant funding to landlord-tenant mediation programs, in future stimulus legislation would also help tenants struggling to pay their rent reach fair outcomes with their landlords and remain in their homes.”