Rent Assistance in New Hampshire

Last checked: November 2026. Benefits Explorer is a directory. We do not provide rent money or decide who gets help, and each program makes its own decisions.

New Hampshire has an unusual safety net for rent: state law makes each city and town responsible for helping residents who are poor and unable to support themselves, so your town welfare office is a real first stop. RSA 165 also says officials cannot require an eviction notice before providing rental assistance, although they may ask for one to document the emergency.

New Hampshire Housing, the state housing agency, says plainly that it has no emergency money for rent, deposits or moving costs. Community Action agencies are the other main route, and services vary by region. Some pandemic-era Community Action pages still show an Apply button for the old state rental program, so ask your local agency what is available today.

Where to Start in New Hampshire

Town and city welfare (general assistance)

Each town and city must adopt written guidelines for general assistance under RSA 165, so what you can get and how you apply varies by town. Contact your town hall or municipal welfare office. New Hampshire Housing says they may be obligated to support you under specific guidelines.

Visit website · Accepting applications when last checked

Community Action agencies of New Hampshire

The network says Emergency Rent Assistance is available to income-eligible individuals and families who are past due on rent, and that services vary by region. Use the lookup to find your agency: Southwestern Community Services, Tri-County CAP, Community Action Partnership of Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, CAP of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, or Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

211 NH

New Hampshire Housing sends renters with rent or utility trouble here. Trained referral specialists help for free with housing, utilities and more. Dial 211, or use 1-866-444-4211.

Visit website · Phone: 211 · Accepting applications when last checked

New Hampshire Housing vouchers

Runs the Housing Choice Voucher program and takes applications online. The agency does not provide emergency rent money or legal advice, so vouchers are a longer-term route. Nashua's city guidance lists its rental program line at 800-640-7239 for New Hampshire callers.

Visit website · Phone: 800-640-7239 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Local Rent Help in New Hampshire

Nashua Welfare Office (City of Nashua)

You must go to the office to pick up an application. An intake specialist reviews your situation and schedules a welfare specialist appointment, and you get written notice of the documents to bring.

Visit website · Phone: 603-589-4555 · Accepting applications when last checked

Facing Eviction in New Hampshire?

State law requires 7 days' notice for a residential eviction based on nonpayment. A nonpayment case is dismissed if, before the hearing on the merits, you pay all rent due plus other lawful lease charges, though you cannot use this more than 3 times in 12 months. Other conditions apply. The rules on court-ordered delays changed on October 8, 2026: a stay can now run up to 60 days, or up to 75 days if you meet certain conditions, and a tenant default rules one out. Older guides may show the former 3-month figure. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: 603 Legal Aid and New Hampshire Legal Assistance. Free civil legal help for people with low incomes; New Hampshire Legal Assistance also serves adults 60 and over. Housing cases, including eviction, come through shared intake. Apply online any time, or call Monday through Wednesday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. No intake calls on Thursdays or Fridays. Local line: (603) 224-3333. Visit website · Phone: (800) 639-5290

This page is general information, not legal advice. Don't ignore a notice or court papers, because eviction deadlines can be short.

More Help in New Hampshire

Want other options? See our full rent assistance guide, including how to spot a scam, or see your options. That form is not an application for rent assistance. If you submit it, Benefits Explorer and its partners may contact you.

New Hampshire Rent Assistance Questions

Who pays rent help in New Hampshire if the state housing agency does not?

Start with your town or city welfare office, which handles general assistance under RSA 165, and your local Community Action agency. New Hampshire Housing says it has no emergency money for rent or one-time costs such as security deposits.

Do I need an eviction notice to get help from town welfare?

RSA 165:4-c says officials shall not require an eviction notice before providing rental assistance. They may ask for one to document an emergency, manage timely decisions, or refer you to other agencies.

Is the old New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program still available?

Do not rely on it. We could not open the state's current status page, and pages with an Apply button describe pandemic-era coverage dates from 2020. Your local Community Action agency can say what it funds now.

Can I stop a New Hampshire eviction by paying?

Under RSA 540:9, a nonpayment case is dismissed if you pay all rent due plus other lawful lease charges before the hearing on the merits, subject to the statute's conditions and a limit of 3 uses in 12 months. Call 603 Legal Aid to check how this applies to you.

Rent Assistance in Nearby States

Most programs only help people who live in their state. If you are moving or live near a state line, you can also check:

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