Share Post:

Manchester is Making Historic Progress Ending Veteran Homelessness

A man speaks to a group of people in a room with wooden floors and a chandelier, while a woman stands near a Harbor Care presentation screen.
Henry Och, Harbor Care President & CEO, explains the initiative.

At NH Veteran Stand Down Friday, Mayor Jay Ruais updated attendees on the city’s initiative to end veteran homelessness, launched at Stand Down last year.

  • In Sept. 2024, Mayor Jay Ruais launched an initiative to end veteran homelessness. At the time, 47 veterans were unhoused.
  • Today, only 6 remain from that original list—all in Harbor Care transitional housing with active plans.
  • Since launch: 62 veterans housed, 39 prevented from homelessness, and nearly 50 supported with jobs.
  • For the first time in 5 years, Manchester is housing veterans faster than new cases appear—a critical milestone.
  • This is more than numbers: it’s a lasting system so no veteran is left behind.

Mayor Ruais said, “I am incredibly proud of this progress and deeply grateful to Harbor Care and all of our community partners for their leadership and collaboration. Together, we will finish the job and ensure every veteran in Manchester has a place to call home.”

Mayor Jay Ruais and Harbor Care gathered business and community leaders last week at Evolution in Manchester to support our common initiative to End Veteran Homelessness. Together, we’re making historic progress — housing veterans faster than new cases emerge and building a system to ensure no veteran is left behind. Thank you to our host, Evolution and owner Kayla Frank. Thank you to all who supported this effort!

DONATE NOW

People stand in line while a man signs papers at a table covered with a green cloth in a room with dark wallpaper and a chandelier overhead.
Four men in business attire stand indoors in front of a sign that reads Honor Care Housing & Veteran Services.
Two men in business attire stand side by side and smile at the camera in a restaurant or bar with wooden floors and modern decor.
Two people stand behind a table with informational materials at an indoor event; a sign behind them displays sponsorship logos. Other attendees mingle in the background.
Two people in business attire smile for a photo at an indoor event, standing in front of a bar with drinks and hanging lights visible in the background.
A group of men in business attire gather at a bar, socializing and holding drinks. One man in front wears a VFW shirt and glasses. The setting is warmly lit.
Three people stand indoors, dressed in business attire, holding papers and smiling at the camera in front of a dark patterned wall.
A woman in an orange dress and a man in a vest pose and smile in a busy bar with people seated and standing in the background.
A sign displays sponsors supporting an event focused on ending veteran homelessness in Manchester, featuring various business logos and the Harbor Care organization.
A man in a suit and tie stands in front of a framed painting of tree branches with flowers. He is wearing glasses and a small American flag pin on his lapel.
Three people stand together in a bar or restaurant, smiling at the camera. The woman in the center holds a cup, and the background shows other people and the bar area.
A man speaks to a group of people in a room with wooden floors and a chandelier, while a woman stands near a Harbor Care presentation screen.
Three adults wearing denim jackets and dark shirts stand in a bar with brick walls and shelves of bottles behind them.
People gather in a bar with a buffet of food on the counter, surrounded by drinks, bar stools, and modern lighting.
Two men in suits stand indoors; one is speaking while the other stands behind him holding papers. Elegant decor and a chandelier are visible in the background.
A man in a suit and tie stands indoors, speaking and gesturing with his right hand. A painting and patterned wallpaper are visible in the background.
A group of people in a room watch a man speaking on a large TV screen, with trees and a brick building visible behind him.
A woman with long blonde hair speaks in front of a group, standing by a screen in a room with floral wallpaper and a chandelier.
A man in a suit speaks to a group of people in a room with wood floors and a chandelier. A Harbor Care banner and a green tablecloth are visible in the background.
Three men pose together indoors at an event; one wears a green polo and cap, another wears a navy shirt with a logo, and the third wears a suit and tie with pins and a name badge.
Four men pose together and smile for a group photo in a warmly lit restaurant with wooden floors and round pendant lamps overhead.
Three adults stand indoors, smiling at the camera. One woman holds a cup; the two men wear business attire. Large windows and wooden flooring are visible in the background.
A man sits on a weathered bench outdoors, holding a red leash attached to a brown dog standing in front of him. Trees and a brick building are in the background.A Second Chance for Mike | “I just needed another day. Harbor Care gave me that day."
Two people stand under a large event tent. The woman wears an American flag shirt and blue cardigan; the man wears a blazer and lanyard. Both are smiling at the camera.PHOTOS: More than 200 Attend NH Veteran Stand Down