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Nashua adopts ordinances banning public camping in attempt to address homelessness

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 16:55 GMT by WMUR
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In early January, the City of Nashua, New Hampshire, voted to adopt a controversial ordinance that prohibits the establishment of tents, makeshift shelters, or any form of temporary habitation on public property. The measure, which took effect on March 1, 2024, is part of a broader effort to address a growing visibility of homelessness in the city’s parks, sidewalks, and other open spaces. The ordinance not only bans public camping but also mandates that anyone who wishes to set up a temporary shelter on city land must obtain a permit, a requirement that will effectively block most unregulated encampments.

The decision followed a series of council meetings where the city’s mayor, John C. C. Lauer, presented data on the number of homeless individuals visible in Nashua’s downtown, the increased incidence of litter and abandoned tents, and the concerns of local businesses about public safety. “We need to create a city that is safe and welcoming for all residents and visitors,” Mayor Lauer said. “This ordinance is a step toward ensuring that public spaces remain clean, accessible, and free from the hazards that can arise from unauthorized encampments.”

The ordinance defines “public camping” broadly: any structure that functions as a temporary shelter, including tents, tarps, or even stacked furniture, on any city-owned property. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 for each offense. The measure is set to be enforced by the city’s Public Works Department, which will conduct monthly sweeps of parks and other common areas. Exemptions are limited to existing city-operated shelters and a few designated “encampment sites” in partnership with local nonprofits, which will be established under separate agreements to provide basic services such as heating and sanitation.

Opponents of the ordinance, including the Nashua Coalition for the Homeless, argue that the ban does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness, such as affordable housing shortages and mental health issues. “This is a punitive measure that will push the problem out of sight rather than solve it,” said coalition director Maria Gomez. She cited a 2023 study by the New Hampshire Housing Authority that noted a 12 percent increase in homeless individuals statewide between 2021 and 2023, largely driven by rising housing costs in the Boston–Worcester corridor.

The city council’s decision was not made in isolation. In a separate article linked within the original story, readers can find an interview with the mayor of nearby Keene, who expressed similar concerns and hinted at potential regional collaboration. “We need to work together on this,” Keene’s mayor said. “Homelessness doesn’t respect city boundaries.”

Nashua’s ordinance also points to a broader state-level trend: a growing number of New Hampshire municipalities are adopting “public camping bans” as a way to manage visible homelessness. The city’s official webpage, linked in the article, details how the ordinance aligns with the state’s “Housing First” policy, which focuses on providing permanent housing before addressing other social services. The page also lists contact information for the city’s Homeless Services Department, which offers outreach, case management, and temporary shelter options.

The ordinance’s impact will likely be felt across several Nashua neighborhoods. The city’s downtown business district, for instance, has seen a rise in litter and abandoned tents, especially during the cooler months. The city’s official traffic reports, available through a link in the article, indicate a modest uptick in pedestrian complaints during the winter, with many citing safety concerns about uneven terrain and debris. The ordinance is also expected to reduce the burden on local law enforcement, which has spent significant resources responding to encampments and related incidents.

Looking ahead, the council plans to monitor the ordinance’s effectiveness through quarterly reports that will be made public. These reports will track the number of violations, enforcement actions taken, and any changes in the homeless population within city limits. The city’s website provides a link to a recent data dashboard, which shows that from January to March 2024, there were 18 reported violations—mostly minor and involving individuals with temporary arrangements that could be corrected by securing permits.

The measure has sparked a debate about the most humane and effective ways to manage homelessness. While some residents welcome the move as a step toward cleaner, safer public spaces, others see it as a punitive measure that displaces vulnerable populations without providing adequate alternatives. The Nashua ordinance, now in effect, will likely serve as a case study for other New England cities grappling with similar challenges.

By integrating enforcement with a clear call to expand permanent housing options, the city hopes to strike a balance between maintaining public order and addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. Whether this approach will be deemed successful remains to be seen, but Nashua’s decision reflects a growing trend in the region: cities are increasingly turning to regulatory tools to manage visible homelessness while simultaneously seeking to provide long-term solutions.