New Hampshire

  • State Data Overview

    Across New Hampshire, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions.

    K
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    F
    a
    c
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    34,277
    Or
    23%
    Renter households that are extremely low income
    -21,372
    Shortage of rental homes affordable and available for extremely low income renters
    $35,250
    Average income limit for 4-person extremely low income household
    $62,109
    Annual household income needed to afford a two-bedroom rental home at HUD's Fair Market Rent.
    64%
    Percent of extremely low income renter households with severe cost burden
  • State Level Partners

    NLIHC Housing Advocacy Organizer

    Lindsay Duvall

    Lindsay Duvall

    202.662.1530 x206 | [email protected]

    State Partners

    Housing Action NH

    PO Box 162

    Concord, NH 03302

    P 603-828-5916

    www.housingactionnh.org

    Elissa Margolin, Director

    [email protected]

    Become an NLIHC State Partner

    NLIHC’s affiliation with our state coalition partners is central to our advocacy efforts. Although our partners' involvement varies, they are all housing and homeless advocacy organizations engaged at the state and federal level. Many are traditional coalitions with a range of members; others are local organizations that serve more informally as NLIHC's point of contact.

    Inquire about becoming a state partner by contacting [email protected]

    Become a Member
  • Housing Trust Fund
    HTF Implementation Information

    NLIHC continues working with leaders in each state and the District of Columbia who will mobilize advocates in support of HTF allocation plans that benefit ELI renters to the greatest extent possible. Please contact the point person coordinating with NLIHC in your state (below) to find out about the public participation process and how you can be involved. Email Tori Bourret with any questions.

    NHTF logo
    Current Year HTF Allocation
    NLIHC Point Person for HTF Advocacy

    Elissa Margolin

    Director

    Housing Action NH

    603-828-5916

    [email protected]

    State Designated Entity:

    Ben Frost

    Deputy Executive Director/Chief Legal Officer

    New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority

    603-310-9361

    [email protected]

    Official Directly Involved with HTF Implementation:

    Gloria Paradise

    Director, Housing Grants

    603-310-9315

    603-488-097

    [email protected]

    Christine Lavalle

    Program Manager, Housing Grants

    603-310-9307

    [email protected]


    State Entity Webpage

    New Hampshire Housing


    NHTF-specific pages

    Financing Programs

    Multi-Family Supportive Housing Financing Program

    Consolidated Plan

  • Resources
    Resources

    Housing Profiles

    State Housing Profile

    State Housing Profile: New Hampshire (PDF) (JPG)

    Congressional District Housing Profile

    Congressional District Profile: New Hampshire (PDF)

    Research and Data

    National Housing Preservation Database

    The National Housing Preservation Database is an address-level inventory of federally assisted rental housing in the United States.

    Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing

    Out of Reach documents the gap between renters’ wages and the cost of rental housing. In New Hampshire and Nationwide

    The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Rental Homes

    The Gap represents data on the affordable housing supply and housing cost burdens at the national, state, and metropolitan levels. In New Hampshire and Nationwide

  • Take Action
    Urge Congress to Enact Historic Housing Investments!
    Urge Congress to Pass a Budget with Increased Investments in Affordable Homes
  • COVID-19 Resources
    COVID-19 Resources

    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

    COVID-19 Resources Other

    National Media

    What to Know About Housing and Rent During the COVID-19 Emergency? https://tinyurl.com/y74ox85d

    Arbor Realty Trust launched an innovative $2 million rental assistance program to help thousands of tenants and families significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Arbor is contributing $1 million to the program and participating borrowers will match Arbor's advances to its tenants in need to help fill the rent gap during the hard-hit months of May and June. Together, the partnership program will provide $2 million in relief. https://tinyurl.com/y9r6x9vb