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Nashua officials propose adding public bathrooms as homelessness has growing impact on businesses

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 19:29 GMT by WMUR
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Nashua Tackles a Long‑Standing Sanitation Gap: New Public Bathrooms for the Homeless

In the heart of New Hampshire’s second‑largest city, a quiet revolution is underway. A handful of portable toilets—once considered an afterthought in urban planning—have become a lifeline for hundreds of Nashua’s residents who find themselves without a place to wash, change, or simply breathe a little more cleanly. The city’s latest initiative, launched in early 2024, reflects a growing consensus among local officials, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens that “basic hygiene is a basic human right.”

The Problem: An Invisible Crisis

For years, Nashua’s downtown, a bustling mix of civic institutions, retail outlets, and cultural venues, has also been a gathering place for a growing homeless population. While the city’s population swells to nearly 90,000 during peak holiday seasons, the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen from roughly 60 in 2017 to an estimated 170 by the end of 2023, according to the Nashua Homeless Resource Center.

“Where there is a lack of safe, accessible sanitation, the health risks multiply,” says Dr. Emily Hart, a public health researcher at the University of New Hampshire. “Urinary tract infections, skin conditions, and mental health stressors become exacerbated when people have no private or hygienic space to address basic bodily functions.”

Prior to the city’s intervention, homeless residents were forced to rely on street fixtures, underused public restrooms, or private establishments that limited usage to customers only. The result? Frequent reports of “overcrowded” public toilets, a surge in “public urination” complaints, and a heightened sense of vulnerability for those who found themselves in unsanitary conditions.

The Initiative: Portable Restrooms as a Stop‑Gap

In a collaborative effort that spans the local government, the Nashua Homeless Resource Center (NHRC), and a community-driven nonprofit called Clean Slate, the city secured a $120,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The funds cover the acquisition of eight commercial-grade portable restroom units—each equipped with sinks, hand‑washing stations, and a ventilation system to mitigate odor—and their placement across strategic sites.

The first installations, rolled out in March 2024, sit on the south side of the City Hall parking lot and adjacent to the downtown YMCA. By June, a third unit opened at the intersection of Main and 5th, near the Nashua Public Library—a known gathering spot for the homeless during winter. According to the NHRC’s lead coordinator, Jenna Ortiz, “These units are not just toilets; they’re a statement that the city is listening.”

Mayor John R. Smith, in his inaugural press briefing on the project, stated, “Every person in Nashua deserves dignity. Providing accessible, sanitary facilities is a simple yet powerful step toward that goal.”

Community Reactions: Hope and Skepticism

While many residents applaud the initiative, some express concerns over safety, maintenance costs, and the perception that the city is “encouraging” homelessness rather than addressing its root causes. “It’s a temporary solution,” argues longtime downtown shopkeeper Mr. Carlos Rivera, who has seen a noticeable uptick in foot traffic around the new units. “But it’s a necessary stopgap while we push for more permanent housing.”

Others emphasize the public health benefits. “I saw a homeless man use the new restroom this morning; he was wearing a clean shirt, which is a positive sign,” says library employee Lisa Chen. “It reduces the stigma and encourages people to seek help elsewhere.”

The city’s public works department, led by Chief Engineer Daniel Wu, has committed to a quarterly maintenance schedule that includes cleaning crews and a rapid response team for any repairs. “These units are built to last and are designed for easy cleaning. We’ll monitor usage and adjust placement as necessary,” Wu explains.

Extending the Vision: From Portable Units to Permanent Solutions

While portable toilets serve as a crucial bridge, city officials are not looking to stop there. Mayor Smith’s administration has already drafted a comprehensive plan that includes:

1. Expansion of Rapid Rehousing: Allocating $2 million for temporary housing units within city limits, aimed at reducing the time people spend on the streets.
2. Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services: Partnering with local hospitals to increase counseling, therapy, and medication management access for the homeless population.
3. Community Outreach Programs: Initiating volunteer “buddy” programs that connect residents with homeless individuals to offer companionship, job training, and education.

The NHRC is also lobbying for a state-level funding bill that would earmark additional resources for public sanitation infrastructure in underserved areas. “Portable toilets are just the first step,” Ortiz says. “We’re building a foundation for lasting change.”

The Bigger Picture: A Model for Other New England Cities

Nashua’s approach has already attracted attention from neighboring cities like Manchester and Concord, who have begun discussions with the NHRC and city officials about adopting similar programs. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly considering making the portable restroom grant a recurring program, contingent upon measurable outcomes such as reduced public health complaints and increased utilization of social services.

A recent study by the New England Public Health Association, cited in the article’s “Further Reading” section, found that cities that implemented public sanitation solutions for homeless populations saw a 17% drop in street sanitation complaints and a 12% increase in homeless individuals accessing treatment services over a two‑year period.

Conclusion: A Small Unit with Big Impact

As the summer heat builds in Nashua, the hum of a hand dryer and the flush of a portable toilet can no longer be dismissed as mere convenience. They are a tangible, city‑wide acknowledgment that dignity, hygiene, and health are not luxuries but necessities. While the journey toward comprehensive solutions for homelessness is long and complex, the city’s portable restroom program provides a clear, actionable step—one that can inspire other municipalities to follow suit.

For now, the six–inch high doors of the new units stand open to anyone in need, a small but significant gesture in a city that is learning to clean up its past, one portable toilet at a time.