Quick Facts: New Hampshire
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 65% of metrics met
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Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 58% of metrics met
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Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 76% of metrics met
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Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 88% of metrics met
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Addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness: 33% of metrics met
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Allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services: 56% of metrics met
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Systems: 67% of metrics met
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Environment: 18% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 57
State Ranking 2022: 21
2022 Score
2021 Score
57
55
New Hampshire Highlights
One area where New Hampshire has moved the needle relative to other states include minimizing opportunity for youth experiencing homelessness to come in contact with the courts and providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently.
Law & Policy
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The state allows shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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The state gives minors contract rights OR allows them to enter into binding contracts for certain purposes (e.g. necessities).
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The state doesn’t consider running away a criminal offense.
Systems
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There is a current state plan to end homelessness that contains a youth-specific strategy component.
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There is a state interagency council on homelessness.
Environment
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The state has banned conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Granite State, with emphasis on the Environment category. Protecting the rights and interests of youth experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ youth, should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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The state should pass a law that funds and provides oversight and regulation to youth homelessness services.
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The state should explicitly allow partial and alternative school credit accrual for homeless youth through regulations.
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The state should explicitly allow unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage without parental consent.
Systems
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As part of the state plan to prevent and end youth homelessness, include a strategy to address homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
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Create a state entity – such as an Office of Homeless Youth Services – that focuses solely on designing, implementing, and evaluating youth homelessness programs.
Environment
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The state should establish and maintain stipends for a community advisory board that informs youth homelessness policy (Youth Action Board).
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The state should require training about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, healthy sexual development or issues specific to LGBTQ+ youth for staff working in RHY Systems.
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The state should establish nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ youth in youth homelessness services.