News 9 Investigates has learned that a woman from northern New Hampshire who is homeless was dropped off at the headquarters of Families in Transition in Manchester last month, despite the nonprofit organization having no shelter space for her.The woman was eventually driven back to Lincoln, and Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais said the incident highlights a bigger issue.The woman, who has a serious medical condition, was staying at a hotel in Littleton, paid for by the town of Lincoln's welfare office, News 9 Investigates has learned. Sources said an employee at the hotel drove her in a van to Manchester for services.Families in Transition and Manchester officials worked to help her through the weekend, even though no shelter beds were available.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<"It is very, very challenging when someone is just dropped off and a bed has not been saved for them," said Maria Devlin, president and CEO of Families in Transition. "It's a challenge for us, and it's certainly a challenge for the person involved."Two Manchester firefighters eventually drove the woman back to the Lincoln area.Ruais said the city isn't equipped to keep accepting people who are homeless from other areas of the state."When a situation like this arises, it places an enormous burden on our fire department, our welfare department and our office," Ruais said.He said it's also a burden on the organizations who have to provide shelter. Devlin said that this sort of thing happens more than they'd like, adding that it's also a safety issue."If we do not know that someone is coming, it puts our staff, as well as that person, at risk, especially if it's done not during business hours," Devlin said.In an email exchange with News 9, the town of Lincoln said it cannot comment on information about people receiving welfare assistance.The Lincoln town manager was unavailable for an interview. This is not the first time it's been reported that a person was taken to Manchester for housing services. In 2022, a woman was dropped off by police from Sanford, Maine, and last year, Londonderry police dropped off a man.
LINCOLN, N.H. —
News 9 Investigates has learned that a woman from northern New Hampshire who is homeless was dropped off at the headquarters of Families in Transition in Manchester last month, despite the nonprofit organization having no shelter space for her.
The woman was eventually driven back to Lincoln, and Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais said the incident highlights a bigger issue.
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The woman, who has a serious medical condition, was staying at a hotel in Littleton, paid for by the town of Lincoln's welfare office, News 9 Investigates has learned. Sources said an employee at the hotel drove her in a van to Manchester for services.
Families in Transition and Manchester officials worked to help her through the weekend, even though no shelter beds were available.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
"It is very, very challenging when someone is just dropped off and a bed has not been saved for them," said Maria Devlin, president and CEO of Families in Transition. "It's a challenge for us, and it's certainly a challenge for the person involved."
Two Manchester firefighters eventually drove the woman back to the Lincoln area.
Ruais said the city isn't equipped to keep accepting people who are homeless from other areas of the state.
"When a situation like this arises, it places an enormous burden on our fire department, our welfare department and our office," Ruais said.
He said it's also a burden on the organizations who have to provide shelter. Devlin said that this sort of thing happens more than they'd like, adding that it's also a safety issue.
"If we do not know that someone is coming, it puts our staff, as well as that person, at risk, especially if it's done not during business hours," Devlin said.
In an email exchange with News 9, the town of Lincoln said it cannot comment on information about people receiving welfare assistance.
The Lincoln town manager was unavailable for an interview.
This is not the first time it's been reported that a person was taken to Manchester for housing services. In 2022, a woman was dropped off by police from Sanford, Maine, and last year, Londonderry police dropped off a man.
