45 Years ~ 45 Partners: City of Lebanon
The City of Lebanon has been a trusted partner to the Haven, working alongside us to respond to housing needs both in the moment and over the long term. With the Haven located right on the Vermont and New Hampshire border, having Lebanon’s support has been incredibly important in reaching people throughout the region.
One clear example of this partnership in action is the Lebanon Seasonal Shelter. In 2023, Lebanon decided to take action to address the needs of people who are unhoused during the winter months. It purchased a building on Mechanic Street for a small shelter that could operate during the winter and asked the Haven to operate it with city funding. Moved by this commitment and recognizing that we were the best option for this program, we agreed. Lebanon renovated the building to our specifications, and it opened in late January 2024. We were asked to operate the shelter again in the 2025 and 73 adults from both NH and VT who might otherwise have nowhere to go during the coldest time of year were offered a warm, safe place to sleep. Lebanon has also made a contribution to the capital campaign for 608 N. Main Street Shelter & Resource Center to help us reach our goal.
Lynne Goodwin, Director of Human Services for the City of Lebanon, shared:
“The Haven is an essential partner for the Human Services office. We work together to address housing insecurity, frequently collaborating on efforts to prevent eviction for households at risk of becoming homeless. We also combine efforts to provide shelter and resources for people experiencing homelessness. The Lebanon Winter Shelter would not have been possible without the Haven’s partnership.”
Beyond direct services, the City of Lebanon has shown a long-term commitment to addressing homelessness. In 2016, a City Council task force helped launch the Housing First Working Group, with advocates and service providers meeting regularly to address housing issues and support shelter and affordable housing.
As Lynne added,
“It is an absolute joy to partner with the Haven to move people from homelessness to permanent, supportive housing. Haven staff have an incredible wealth of experience to share with their community partners. Their delivery of services in a person-centered, trauma-informed manner is exemplary, and we’re blessed to have the Haven as a pillar of hope in the Upper Valley.”
We are thankful to work closely with the City of Lebanon. Their staff are thoughtful collaborators, and their support strengthens our reach on the New Hampshire side of the Upper Valley. Having them in our corner makes a real difference.
