COVID-19

New Hampshire Emergency

Rental Assistance Program

The New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP) provides assistance to eligible residents of New Hampshire who cannot pay their rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 

The NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program will:

• Cover past-due and future rent payments; utilities, such as electricity, home heating costs, water, sewer, trash; and other housing-related costs such as internet and relocation expenses associated directly or indirectly with COVID-19. Relocation expenses including rental application fees, utility hook-up fees, and security deposits are eligible.

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• Assist eligible households that may qualify for financial assistance for past-due and future rent payments beginning April 1, 2020 for a period not to exceed 12 months (or 15 months when necessary to ensure housing stability, subject to funding availability). 

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• Assist eligible households that may qualify for financial assistance for utility payments beginning March 13, 2020 for a period not to exceed 12 months (or 15 months when necessary to ensure housing stability, subject to funding availability). You may qualify for utility assistance even if you do not receive or need rental assistance.

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• Pay grants directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the household.

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• Allow a landlord, with the tenant’s permission, to assist the tenant in applying for funds. We encourage tenants and landlords to talk to one another about participating in the program because both will need to provide information on the application.

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• For more details, please read these Frequently Asked Questions.

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

• Apply using the online application on each of the five Community Action Partnership agency websites. Click here to find the CAP agency that serves the community where you live.

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• Call your CAP agency or 2-1-1 and request a paper application to complete.

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

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• 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 COVID-related income hardships

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• 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.

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

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• We will make every effort to process each application as quickly as possible; times will vary according to volume.

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• Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
   

You are eligible for rental and/or utility assistance if:

• At least one person in your household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had their income reduced, had significant costs, or had other financial hardship due to COVID-19. (You do not need to be receiving unemployment benefits payments to get help from this program.)
   

• The household must be at risk for homelessness, be paying more than 30% of their income for rent and utilities, or live in unsafe or unhealthy housing, as well as meet certain income requirements.  

 

The NHERAP 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 Finance Authority (NHHFA), in collaboration with GOFERR and the Community Action Partnership agencies.

 

If you need assistance with an eviction notice, contact NH Legal Advice & Referral Center (LARC).

Note: The NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program is for renters, not homeowners.