City of Rochester Welfare Director Todd Marsh has announced a collaborative multi-agency pilot initiative to provide laundry services to people experiencing homelessness in Rochester. The program will begin with the distribution of 100 single-use laundry cards throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.

“Homelessness is a nationwide, multifaceted challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach,” said Marsh. “Our laundry assistance initiative is not a complete solution for those experiencing homelessness; however, it recognizes that clean clothes lead to better lives. This effort is an important step towards the shared goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and survivable when it occurs. Partnering with agencies already helping people in need is process-effective and cost-effective.”

Marsh emphasized the importance of personal hygiene initiatives for people experiencing homelessness and the broader community.

“Clean clothing minimizes bacterial infections and improves the transition out of homelessness by increasing the likelihood of employment, temporary housing stays, and permanent housing acceptance by landlords,” said Marsh. “Clean and dry clothing and bedding also help to maintain body temperature during the winter months, improving survival rates. While our goal is to guide people towards healthier, safer, and self-sustaining futures, we sometimes need to focus on overnight survival to ensure we can continue providing case management the next day.”

Marsh sought and received approval for a separate budget line item for “homeless services” within the welfare department budget, in addition to the department’s traditional general assistance funds. General assistance is used to meet legal obligations such as rental and utility assistance.

Marsh discussed the initiative with the department’s Community Outreach Facilitator, Erin Nasino.

“Toward the end of July, Director Marsh told me he wanted to provide targeted and managed laundry assistance to Rochester residents experiencing homelessness,” said Nasino. “He asked for my input and wanted the foundation of a plan in place by the end of August. He often speaks about making things happen rather than just making a point, which requires collaboration and compromise. This initiative is a good example of that.”

Referrals for fixed amount laundry cards of standard or large loads will be made through designated agencies that work with people experiencing homelessness. Individuals seeking laundry assistance will complete a one-page information form provided by the referring agency, report that they are primarily homeless in Rochester, and unable to afford laundry services. The referring agency will also confirm the applicant’s homelessness is in Rochester and ensure the laundry card is used for its intended purpose by observing the laundry card use for the first laundry cycle start-up.

“We aim to be flexible with those in need while mitigating unintended misuse of the laundry cards,” said Marsh. “We need to be mindful of our intended purpose and accountable to the taxpayers who fund this initiative.”

Looking ahead, Marsh hopes for continuous improvements in assisting people with housing challenges, including an increasing number of senior citizens.

“Collaborative and diverse efforts will allow our state to lead the way toward greater self-sufficiency for individuals with unique needs while remaining cost-effective for taxpayers,” said Marsh. “Humane and cost-effective solutions are not mutually exclusive.”

“The positive impact of this new initiative extends far beyond simply providing clean clothes,” said Jennifer Chisholm, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness. “Our coalition hopes that Rochester’s laundry collaboration will inspire other municipalities to engage in similarly creative initiatives. This project proves that achievable solutions exist!”

In May 2019, the Tri-Cities of Rochester, Dover, and Somersworth accepted the Tri-City Mayors’ Joint Task Force on Homelessness Master Plan. In 2021, the New Hampshire Council on Housing Stability was tasked with developing and implementing a plan to create maximum housing stability for all residents.

“Effectiveness lies in the details, and support for improvements comes from finding common ground,” said Marsh. “There’s growing agreement for innovative public-private efforts to expand broad affordable housing, create case-managed supportive housing, establish post hospital care respite for the unhoused, and provide substance disorder treatment with aftertreatment housing options. Also, the need for an eclectic emergency housing system that addresses a range of needs, from seasonal low-barrier overnight survival warming centers to longer-term programmatic sheltering.”

Marsh also noted Rochester’s development of the state’s first Community Outreach Facilitator position in 2022, which operates within the welfare department. He mentioned the recent hiring of a part-time outreach worker by the city of Keene as another example of this trend.

Like the unique Community Outreach Facilitator role, Marsh believes the laundry initiative will be noticed by other municipalities, which may consider implementing similar initiatives tailored to their communities.

“I continue to have discussions with other municipal welfare departments throughout the state about thinking differently,” said Marsh.  A good example of increasing innovative efforts is the city of Dover’s developing shower program for the unhoused.”

Marsh expressed his gratitude for the support of the Rochester community.

“I’m thankful for the support from city leaders, including City Manager Katie Ambrose, as well as local service agencies and businesses,” said Marsh. “Rochester continues to invest in a variety of programs that assist residents with unique needs. As Welfare Director, I will continue to advise toward collaborative, pragmatic, and forward-thinking initiatives, which is what I believe the people of Rochester expect and deserve.”

Marsh concluded with a message of collaboration and continuous improvement: “We must not let the pursuit of perfect solutions paralyze progress,” said Marsh. “It is only by finding common ground can we achieve uncommon progress.”

Todd Marsh has served as Director of Rochester City Welfare for 16 years, is the president of the New Hampshire Local Welfare Administrators Association and serves on the Governor’s Council on Housing Stability Task Force’s Homelessness Workgroup. He is a former director of the Homeless Center for Strafford County and has held various public service roles, including on the Somersworth City Council and School Board.