Coordinated Entry

The Coordinated Entry System (CES) serves as the central point of access to homeless services for Manchester, assisting with referrals to housing. CES helps connect people to interventions that aim to rapidly resolve their housing crisis. CES works to connect the highest need, most vulnerable persons in the community to available housing and supportive services equitably.

A Coordinated Entry Assessment is an evaluation process used to determine which type of housing intervention best matches the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. This is the first step of entering the homeless response system and will allow for the community to know that you have a need for housing.

How to get help

NH 2-1-1

Anyone needing homeless services in our community should first call 2-1-1 from any phone, any time of day or night. A live, trained call specialist will direct the caller to appropriate local resources. Learn more about 2-1-1 here

Walk-In Access

The following Manchester regional access points are available for walk-in Coordinated Entry assessments and homeless support services:

  • Youth (Up to age 23): Waypoint

    326 Lincoln St., Manchester, NH

    Walk-in Hours: Monday 12pm-6pm, Tuesday 12pm-5pm, Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-5pm, Friday 12pm-4pm

  • Adults: Families in Transition

    199 Manchester St., Manchester, NH

    Walk-in Hours: Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm, on the hour

  • Adults with Children: Families in Transition

    177 Lake Avenue, Manchester, NH

    Walk-in Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Who is eligible for Coordinated Entry?

Anyone who meets the HUD Category 1: “Literally Homeless” or Category 4: “Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence” definitions of Homelessness AND are located in Manchester may complete a Coordinated Assessment and be placed on the Manchester Coordinated Entry Prioritization List for available housing and service resources. Please see below examples of those who are eligible for Coordinated Entry based on the HUD criteria.

Eligible (not limited to these examples):

Individuals or families who are currently living:

  • Out of a vehicle (does not include RVs that are habitable with access to utilities)

  • On the streets

  • In a park

  • Outside in a tent

  • In an emergency shelter or safe haven

  • In a place not meant for human habitation

  • Immediately exiting an institution (e.g., hospitals, jail, prison, treatment center) that you stayed for less than 90 days AND was literally homeless prior to being institutionalized

NOT Eligible (not limited to these examples):

Individuals or families who are currently living:

  • Couch surfing/doubled-up or living in a hotel (not paid for by charitable organizations) for longer than 7 days with friends/family

  • Living in a boarding home/shared-housing/halfway house/sober living/nursing home

  • Institutionalized for longer than 90 days

NOTE: You may still be eligible for Coordinated Entry even if you are currently in one of these living situations if you are fleeing/attempting to flee DV. Eligibility will be ultimately determined by staff trained to do coordinated entry assessments when they meet with you.