New Hampshire

NLIHC has estimated a need for no less than $100 billion in emergency rental assistance and broke down the need and cost for each state (download Excel spreadsheet). 

In response to COVID-19 and its economic fallout, many cities and states are creating or expanding rental assistance programs to support individuals and families impacted by the pandemic, and NLIHC is tracking in-depth information on these programs.  

You can use the interactive map and searchable database to find state and local emergency rental assistance programs near you. You can also see the latest news on rental assistance programs through the state-by-state news tracker. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all rental assistance programs as we continue to update frequently. If you are aware of a program not included in our database, please contact [email protected]. 

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Across the country, homeless service providers are struggling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to follow public health guidelines and help ensure people’s safety, some shelters are being forced to reduce services, restrict admittance, or close entirely. The loss of these critical resources puts people experiencing homelessness at even higher risk of illness. Check NLIHC's cumulative list of shelter closings.

Below is a list of shelters that have had to majorly alter services or completely close:

No information at this time.

New Hampshire Public Radio reports approximately 10,000 New Hampshire households have received emergency rental assistance (ERA), with approximately 4,000 applicants still awaiting aid.

Updated on December 20, 2021

As the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium loomed, the New Hampshire Circuit Court worked to promote the New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program. To spread awareness of the rental assistance program, circuit court officials plan to change court forms to include program information, distribute information flyers, post information in courtrooms, and update information on the court’s website. New Hampshire residents in need of legal aid can visit https://nhlegalaid.org/get-help or call 1-800-639-5290.
Updated on August 3, 2021

More than 6,400 residents have applied to New Hampshire’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program as of June 18, with about half of those applications approved. Approximately $20 million in aid has been distributed.
Updated on July 15, 2021

New Hampshire Housing launched the New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program on March 15. Like the prior housing stability programs, rental assistance will be administered by the state’s five regional Community Action Partnership agencies.

Updated on March 31, 2021

Amid the ongoing pandemic and COVID-related housing crisis, free legal advice from organizations like New Hampshire Legal Assistance and the Legal Advice and Referral Center plays a critical role in keeping New Hampshire renters housed.

Updated on February 01, 2021

A new educational series to inform New Hampshire tenants about eviction law and tenants’ rights launched on January 20. The Eviction Clinic, organized by the New Hampshire Legal Assistance and the Legal Advice and Referral Center, will provide free online sessions each week.

New Hampshire housing advocates are applauding President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to extend the federal eviction moratorium on his first day in office. At the state level, advocates are hoping to put more resources into the affordable housing trust fund and the homeless shelter system.

Updated on January 25, 2021

According to the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness’ annual report, the number of people experiencing homelessness was rapidly growing before COVID-19, and the pandemic has escalated that growth.

Updated on January 15, 2021

New Hampshire state officials posted a 10-day notice on November 6 that dozens of people residing in an encampment on the lawn of the Hillsborough County courthouse must leave on November 15. The evictions come as the only emergency shelter in the city is at or near its 107-bed capacity most nights. While Governor Chris Sununu insists that state outreach workers are in Manchester daily to discuss shelter options for people experiencing homelessness, the city’s fire chief reports not seeing any state presence.

Updated on November 30, 2020

The mayors of New Hampshire’s 13 cities sent a letter to Governor Chris Sununu urging him to create an updated blueprint for reducing homelessness. The mayors highlighted how the pandemic has impacted homelessness services in their cities and expressed concern for the safety of people experiencing homelessness given the upcoming winter and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Concord Monitor reports Concord’s homeless shelters are reducing capacity due to coronavirus, raising concerns that the city will not have enough shelter beds this winter. These reductions come as many fear there will be an increased demand for housing and shelter when the federal eviction moratorium expires at the end of the year.

Updated on November 17, 2020

Despite the CDC eviction moratorium, hundreds of renters in New Hampshire have received eviction notices over the past month. The chief program officer of Families in Transition-New Horizons notes that even with rental assistance and extended eviction moratoriums, the housing shortage in south New Hampshire continues to be a significant issue.

Updated on October 14, 2020

Homeless shelters across New Hampshire are preparing for an especially challenging winter as the December 30 deadline to spend and complete projects using federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars draws closer.

Updated on September 29, 2020

New Hampshire Business Review explains what the CDC eviction moratorium means for New Hampshire renters and what renters must do to protect themselves from evictions. Since the state’s eviction band ended July 1, landlord-tenant writs have increased. Last month, Governor Chris Sununu vetoed House Bill 1247, which would have offered renters a six-month repayment plan for rent payments missed during the pandemic. 

Updated on September 15, 2020

Low-income renters needing assistance are getting discouraged by the long and complicated application process for New Hampshire’s rental assistance program. An attorney with New Hampshire Legal Aid reports that, as of August 13, more than 4,000 people had inquired about receiving rental assistance from the state’s program, but only 429 people had completed the applications.

Updated on September 2, 2020.

New Hampshire housing advocates are concerned that tenants who have applied to the state’s rental assistance program could be evicted before they receive aid. While the New Hampshire Housing Relief Program has received 4,701 inquiries and sent out 4,503 applications, only 1,385 completed applications have been submitted and only 139 applications have been approved. 

Updated on August 19, 2020.

Concord city officials discussed removing homeless encampments at a Public Safety Board meeting on July 27. One councilor suggested that Concord develop temporary housing options to address homelessness in the area, particularly given the potential rise in homelessness as a result of the pandemic.

Updated on August 4, 2020.

Governor Chris Sununu authorized the allocation and expenditure of $35 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide rental assistance. Of the allocated $35 million, $20 million will be initially spent, with $15 million held in reserve, for rent stabilization and housing support. Governor Sununu also announced an additional $15 million in CARES Act funding for homeless shelters.

Updated on June 12, 2020.

New Hampshire housing advocates, including Elissa Margolin, director of Housing Action NH, an NLIHC state partner, are warning officials about the wave of evictions that will flood the state if critical actions are not taken. Advocates and officials have outlined several proposals to stabilize the state’s rental market when moratoriums are lifted and address homelessness.

New Hampshire is spending $3 million in federal funding to help people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. The money will be used to provide stipends for homeless shelter staff, cover additional shelter expenses, and support agencies helping people experiencing homelessness find permanent housing. 

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig announced new measures on April 30 to protect people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic, including a city-sanctioned temporary camp. City officials have provided portable toilets and sinks, as well as started delivering meals to an encampment. In a letter to the community, the mayor emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships to expand services for people experiencing homelessness in Manchester and across New Hampshire.

No information at this time.

Federal, state, and local eviction moratoriums are rapidly expiring and the CARES Act supplemental unemployment benefits will end soon; at that time, millions of low-income renters will be at risk of losing their homes. The NLIHC estimates at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance is needed to keep low-income renters stably housed during and after the pandemic. This tracker links to news reports of the growing evictions crisis in various cities and states. Check NLIHC's cumulative list of eviction updates.

As of Aug. 13, Elliot Berry, an attorney with New Hampshire Legal Aid said, more than 4,000 people had inquired about getting that housing aid, but just 429 people had completed the applications. He said he has heard from renters who have received eviction notices and tried to apply for the funding but have not been able to complete the process.

Updated on August 28, 2020.

New Hampshire’s rental assistance program has received 4,701 inquiries and sent out 4,503 applications. Yet only 1,385 completed applications have been submitted and only 139 applications have been approved. But 30 days since the moratorium expired has now passed. Housing advocates worry that tenants who applied for assistance could potentially be evicted before they receive assistance.

Updated: August 12

Governor's executive order halted eviction and foreclosure proceedings except those related to property damage or adverse impact on health and safety of others, but it expired July 1.  Eviction cases are being conducted remotely and in person. 

Updated: July 31

In the third week of July, 14.9% of adults in New Hampshire reported they had missed their previous housing payment or had little confidence they would make their next one on time, according to a weekly survey conducted by the Census. In the same survey, 28,282 renters reported they had not paid their previous rental payment.

Updated: July 29