Laconia's homelessness problem is growing, so where is the city's response?

Laconia is a city loved by many. But for most people living in Laconia today, the experience of the city looks very different. Almost daily there are reports about the homeless community in the town and as of 2023 there were over 2,200 people who were reported homeless.

Take a walk through the downtown strip and you'll pass the gazebo, local shops, the parking garage, and the old mill. Along the way you'll also see people around every corner carrying carts, bags, and other belongings. The gazebo, a place that holds childhood memories for many longtime residents is now an outdoor shelter to them with daily visits from the police department, the posts even being filled with packages of Narcan.

It can be easy to look at a situation like this and think “they did this to themselves” or “why don't they just go to a shelter?”. The reality is far more complicated. Not every person experiencing homelessness made a choice that led them there. Every person's story is different.

I personally know people who have experienced homelessness for very different reasons. Whether it's because someone became sick and were suddenly unable to work or keep up with their bills. Others have had their rental properties sold and couldn't find another place to live or couldn't afford the cost. And for some, homelessness is the only life they've ever known unfortunately because they were never given the realistic opportunity to build something different.

One of the biggest issues in the area is the cost of housing. Laconia has jobs, but having a job doesn't necessarily mean someone can afford to live here. Some available positions don't provide wages high enough to cover basic living expenses, while other qualifications or experience that many people seeking work don't have.

Shelter availability is a huge problem as well.

There are three facilities in the area that provide housing or shelter services, but getting into them isn't as simple as walking through the door and asking for a room. There's limited beds along with a shortage, strict facility rules and guidelines, and reliance on already limited local resources that create additional barriers for people who are already in crisis.

In January of 2026, Mayor Mike Bordes addressed Laconia's homelessness problem and said he planned to create a hand picked, tax payer, committee focused on the issue partnered with the local police department. He also stated that the committee would be created without relying on nonprofit organizations. As of October 2026, there has been no update.

Meanwhile, other development projects around the city continue to move forward. There have been developments, vacation housing, new subdivisions, and renovating existing properties. Development itself isn't inherently a bad thing. A growing city needs investment, the question is whether that investment is reaching the people who already live here or not.

On his official website, Bordes states:

“I believe in a future where economic development means more than construction. It means creating good jobs, supporting local businesses, and building a city where families can thrive”

There has been increased activity in downtown businesses, and that is worth recognizing. But economic development isn't only about making a downtown look busier or renovating another building. It also means asking whether the people who work in those businesses can afford to live in the community.

That's where the conversation about homelessness becomes bigger than homelessness itself. It becomes a conversation about housing, wages, mental health services, addiction treatment, employment, public safety and what kind of community Laconia wants to become instead of what Bordes wants it to become.

This isn't written to attack Mayor Bordes, it is simply a question about priorities and follow through. The homeless problem hasn't gone away. If anything it visibly has continued to grow.

The people sleeping outside aren't an abstract problem. They are also members of the community. The question isn't simply “why are they here?”. The more important question is what are we actually going to do about it to help? Laconia shouldn't have to choose between being a city that grows and being a city that takes care of the people already living in it. The two should be able to exist together.

New business, new housing development and renovated buildings can all contribute to a stronger community, but growth means nothing if the people struggling to survive are continually pushed further to the side. Homelessness is not going to be solved overnight, and there is no single solution that will work for everyone. But acknowledging the problem is only the beginning, the city needs continued conversations, set plans, and follow through. Will the town continue to grow around the problem, or finally grow enough to take care of it.