If you need to get rent assistance in NH, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve scoured the web to gather all the information on programs and agencies that can help you with rent in New Hampshire.
Statewide Rent Assistance in NH
There are a handful of programs that can assist you with your rent throughout all of New Hampshire. For even more resources, check our list of nationwide rent programs or our list of local resources below.
New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is the official COVID-19 pandemic rental assistance program in New Hampshire.
What does the Emergency Rental Assistance Program do?
The program can cover current and past due rent, as well as utility costs. The program is retroactive to April 1, 2020, and you can even receive assistance with future rent and utilities! All together, you can receive up to 18 months of assistance through this program. That’s help with an entire year and a half of rent and utilities!
The program can also assist with internet costs and relocation expenses (like internet service and utility deposits).
Who is eligible for the ERAP?
In order to be eligible with ERAP, at least one member of your household must have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. This means that at least one person in the household must have qualified for unemployment, or had their income reduced, or had extra costs, or experienced another financial challenge. You must also meet income requirements.
How do I apply?
You can apply with the Community Action Partnership of New Hampshire.
Friends of Veterans
Friends of Veterans is an organization that provides assistance to veterans and their families. They serve veterans throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. They can assist with security deposits, first month’s rent, past-due rent, mortgage payments, heating fuel, electric bills, some home repairs and assistance with service dogs.
Merrimack Valley Assistance Program
This program exclusively serves those who live in New Hampshire and have been diagnosed with HIV (or are a child who has been exposed through HIV through perinatal transmission). In order to become a client here, you must also have an income that does not exceed 500% the Federal Poverty Level. If you are eligible, you may be able to receive assistance with rent and other needs from this agency.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Many Catholic parishes participate in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which is a charitable organization that assists with emergency needs like rent.
The British Society
In order to receive help from The British Society, you must either be British (holding a passport of the United Kingdom or its dependencies) or a child of a British person who is residing in one of the six New England states. If you meet these eligibility requirements, then you may be able to receive one-time assistance with rent, airfare to the UK or car repairs.
Town & City Welfare
New Hampshire state law requires every town and city in the state to offer a welfare program to those who need help. As such, every town and county has a welfare office that can assist with basic needs like rent, mortgage payments, utilities, food, clothing, transportation and prescriptions. The office may be able to help with basic telephone service and even consumable items like diapers, paper products and household supplies.
Nationwide Rental Assistance Programs
There are some programs that provide assistance with rent all over the United States! For even more ways to get help with your rent, check this list!
Local Rent Assistance in NH
Some programs that offer rent assistance in NH are limited to specific geographic areas.
Cheshire County
Southwestern Community Services
This organization offers no-interest loans for the first month’s rent and security deposits. They may also be able to help you find other housing services in the area.
Hillsborough County
Front Door Agency
Front Door serves residents in Nashua, Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mt. Vernon and Wilton. They can assist with one-time or short-term rent assistance, utility assistance and more. They also offer help with security deposits when funding is available.
Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter
The Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter provides some limited rent assistance in NH. They help when it is an emergency to prevent homelessness. They can also help with landlord mediation and negotiation. Other services provided by Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter include food, shelter, holiday assistance, school supplies assistance, and personal care items like diapers, hygiene products. They also offer homeless services like shower and laundry services.
SHARE
SHARE serves individuals and families in Milford, Amherst, Brookline, and Mont Vernon. The agency provides assistance in the form of food, clothing and some emergency financial assistance. They also provide shoes, school supplies and holiday gifts.
Southern New Hampshire Services
This organization can provide short-term emergency rent assistance in NH’s Hillsborough County. They can also help those who are suddenly homeless acquire new housing.
Merrimack County
Emergency Assistance Network
There are nine Churches in the Greater Concord Interfaith Council that work together to provide the Emergency Assistance Network. Before you can get help, you will need to try to get assistance from your Town or City welfare office, the state welfare office and the Community Action Program. If you can’t get help from them, you can reach out to one of the nine organizations that participate in the EAN. These include:
- Bow Mills Methodist Church
- Temple Beth Jacob
- West Congregational
- East Congregational
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
- Immaculate Heart of Mary
- First Congregational
- South Congregational
- Westley United Methodist Church
Rockingham County
Corpus Christi Food Pantry
The Corpus Christi Food Pantry also offers some limited financial assistance to help prevent homelessness. This safety net is only available for those who do not qualify for government assistance or can’t get that assistance in time.
Southern New Hampshire Services
This organization can provide short-term emergency rent assistance in NH’s Rockingham County. They can also help those who are suddenly homeless acquire new housing.
Strafford County
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County
This organization provides short-term rental assistance and eviction prevention. If you are already homeless, they may be able to help you find emergency shelter or even permanent housing.
Share Fund
The Share Fund can help residents in Rochester, East Rochester, Gonic, Farmington, Wakefield and Somersworth with their back rent, security deposits, mortgage payments and property taxes. They can also assist with utilities, clothing, food and diapers for households that qualify.
Sullivan County
Southwestern Community Services
This organization offers no-interest loans for the first month’s rent and security deposits. They may also be able to help you find other housing services in the area.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.