City of Rochester announces it will provide laundry services to homeless

From left, Freeman Toth, Housing Stabilization/Homeless Outreach Manager, CAP, Belknap/Merrimack Counties, Rochester Welfare Director Todd Marsh and Rob Waters, Shelter Administrator, Bureau of Homeless Services (Courtesy photo).

ROCHESTER - The City of Rochester announced on Thursday that a collaborative multi-agency pilot initiative has been launched to provide laundry services to people experiencing homelessness in Rochester. The program, developed by Welfare Director Todd Marsh, 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 helps 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."

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.