Family terrorized by homeless encampment behind their dream home in New Hampshire

A New Hampshire family’s dream home has turned into a nightmare as they are being terrorized by a homeless encampment that has taken root behind their historic house. Robin Bach and her husband, who spent years restoring their 19th-century home in Concord, have been plagued by violent encounters with the vagrants living in the woods behind their property.

The family has received death threats, heard gunshots, and screams coming from the encampment, making their backyard off-limits to their children. A swingset bought during the pandemic sits untouched as the children are too scared to play in their own yard.

Despite calling the police 37 times since purchasing the house in 2018, the situation has only worsened. The camp, which started with just one or two tents, has now grown to about half a dozen, reflecting the increasing homelessness issue in New Hampshire.

While the police have tried to clear out the camp and connect the campers with local programs for stable housing, the problem persists as the campers return within days. The family is facing a unique challenge as the encampment borders property and train tracks owned by a freight railroad company.

Bach and local leaders believe that creating a designated campsite for the homeless in the city could be a solution, providing much-needed resources and outreach in one place. With the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to take legal action against homeless individuals camping on public property, the issue of homelessness is gaining national attention.

As the number of homeless individuals in the US continues to rise, reaching about 650,000 last year, the Bach family’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by both the homeless population and homeowners trying to navigate this complex issue.