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New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance

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, and is expected to be available through at least 2022.  The state’s five Community Action Partnership agencies accept and process applications for assistance. Applications can be submitted at CAPNH.org. 

Since it launched in March 2021, NHERAP has expended $135 million to help more than 9,000 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.
  • 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.

For eligibility details and to apply, go to:  CAPNH.org  or call 2-1-1 

The national eviction moratorium ended in August. 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. They will help identify resources available for you, which could include a referral for free housing counseling services. 

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 NH Has Helped

SUCCESS STORY – STRAFFORD

An applicant who proudly served in the US Marines, moved to a small town in Strafford County in 2018. He owned his home outright, but starting in 2019, a series of health calamities impacted his ability keep up with his property taxes. The town eventually foreclosed on his home with a tax deed and served with an eviction notice. The applicant, with the help of NHLA, requested assistance through the NH Homeowner Assistance Fund. NHLA then appeared in the eviction lawsuit and secured additional time for the applicant to remain in their home while they worked with the NH Homeowner Assistance Fund. Several players including the applicant, the town, the NH Homeowner Assistance Fund, and NHLA worked together to make payment in the back taxes and have the deed recorded back in the applicant’s name. With these partnerships the applicant has regained ownership of their home, as well as guidance to secure tax exemptions and abatements that will allow him to stay in his home affordably.

Keene

Family of four was in a homeless shelter for over a year.  They found permanent housing in a different town and NHERAP was able to assist them with the first month’s rent and security deposit to help them become stably housed.

Somersworth

A local family of six had to move because their apartment failed the fire code. They secured housing but as their move was unexpected, they did not have the funds for security and the first month’s rent.

Portsmouth

A woman that had spent time at a winter shelter the last two years received a voucher through Portsmouth Housing Authority. Without HSS, this client could not have afforded the security deposit and would have remained unhoused.

Rochester

A mother and 16-year-old daughter who had been living in shelters on and off for the past five years finally were able to move into their own apartment with HSS assistance.

Hillsborough

This is amazing and wonderful news. Thank you again!! At least for now a great weight has been lifted and I see a bit of hope in all of this. – Hillsborough County.

MERRIMACK

Wanted to take time to thank you once again for all your help. Your effort has been priceless. – Merrimack County.

IMPORTANT

NHERAP applicants are accepted on a first-come basis to enable applications to be processed timely and for households to receive assistance quickly. When $150 million of NHERAP funds have been distributed, 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