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New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance

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NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program Paused

Given the announcement by the U.S. Treasury that New Hampshire will not receive any additional resources to continue its Emergency Rental Assistance program beyond December 29, 2022, New Hampshire Housing is announcing a pause to incoming applications under the NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP). Effective Friday, October 21, 2022, new applications will not be accepted pending a review of the existing pipeline of applications, the level of federal funding available, and the status of existing State requests to U.S. Treasury for additional funding.

Support services will continue to be available through the five Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies, and all applications in the pipeline will be reviewed and funded (pending eligibility and availability of funds).

Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funding Update 12.19.22. Click to read more.

The NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance for New Hampshire renters who cannot pay their rent and utilities during the pandemic. The program works with tenants and landlords. The state’s five Community Action Partnership agencies accept and process applications for assistance ( CAPNH.org).

Since it launched in March 2021, NHERAP has expended over $296 million to help more than 27,000 New Hampshire households remain in their homes by making payments to property owners and utility companies.

As of October 1, 2021, eligibility guidelines for the NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program state:  

  • Households may qualify for assistance for past-due and future rent and utility payments for a period not to exceed 18 months (when necessary to ensure housing stability and subject to funding availability).
  • At least one person in the household must have qualified for unemployment benefits, had their income reduced, had significant costs, or had other financial hardship during the pandemic. Certain income requirements must be met.
NHERAP covers:
  • Past-due rent including reasonable late and legal fees.
  • Three months of future rent payments if needed for housing stability.
  • Utilities, such as electricity, home heating costs, water, sewer, trash.
  • Other housing-related costs such as internet and relocation expenses (including rental application fees, utility hook-up fees, and security deposits).
  • Households may qualify for utility assistance even if they do not receive or need rental assistance.

If you need assistance with an eviction contact 603 Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal services to low-income people.  Note that Governor Sununu signed Senate Bill 126, which bars eviction for nonpayment of rent if tenants have paid or have qualified for rental assistance.

For more details, please read:

What is the application process for NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program?

  • If you need assistance in completing the application, contact your CAP agency or call 2-1-1 to identify your CAP agency.

  • When you apply, the CAP agency will assist you in identifying the information and documents you need. This may include documentation of: unemployment, job loss, or hours being reduced, increased expenses, or other pandemic-related income hardships.

  • The CAP agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for expenses to landlords and utilities. CAP staff are also available to assist with the application process.

  • Applications are processed in the order that they are received.

Are you at risk of losing your home?
HomeHelpNH provides resources for renters and homeowners who are at risk of losing their home. Visit HomeHelpNH.org or call 2-1-1, a free service offered by Granite United Way.

The NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program is a federally funded rental assistance program through the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR). It is administered by New Hampshire Housing, in collaboration with GOFERR and the state’s five Community Action Partnership agencies.

 

Who NHERP Has Helped

HUDSON

My family and I were struggling quite a bit with my fiancé and I working and having to take time off for our sons Autism services multiple times a week. The stress of our daily lives was starting to take a toll on our mental health and we couldn’t get ahead financially. We found ourselves living paycheck to paycheck struggling to afford essentials. The Emergency Rental Assistance gave us a breath of fresh air and the opportunity to have some relief mentally and financially. My family is grateful for what you did for us.

Manchester

Dozens of our residents have taken advantage of the rental assistance program… Tenants have been able to get up to three months rent covered, and the process has been relatively smooth…We took a proactive approach, sending out forms to tenants who were behind on rent, and working with tenants and CAP to complete the applications [from a property management company].

NASHUA

I myself have had and still have some struggles between work and personal health. I have a chance to find financial, mental and emotional stability again. What you do for people including myself is truly a blessing and I can’t possibly thank you enough.

PITTSFIELD

I had lost my job last year due to COVID and was on unemployment. I was evicted from my apartment because the landlord wanted to renovate. The landlord cut my utilities and put me through the court process. The program helped pay the rent that I owed at the time but I ended up becoming homeless. I was placed in a hotel until I could find an apartment. The rental assistance program paid my security deposit and 3 months of rent!

Program Information

NHERAP applicants are accepted on a first-come basis to enable applications to be processed timely and for households to receive assistance quickly. NHERAP has been paused and upon reopening, qualifying households at or below 50% of AMI and households with one or more individuals that have not been employed for the 90-day period preceding the date of application will be prioritized for the remainder of the NHERAP funds.

NHERAP PROGRAM LINKS

Please note: The national eviction moratorium ended in August 2021. If you need assistance with an eviction, contact 603 Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

RENTER & LANDLORD RESOURCES