March 2, 2021
Rental Assistance Program to Launch on March 15
A new, federally funded New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP) will launch March 15 to provide assistance to eligible residents of New Hampshire who cannot pay their rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NHERAP will be administered by New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA), in collaboration with the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR).
To be eligible for rental or utility assistance, at least one person in the household must have qualified for unemployment benefits, had their income reduced, had significant costs, or had other financial hardship due to COVID-19. The household must be at risk for homelessness or housing instability, and meet certain income requirements.
NHERAP will:
- Pay current and past due rent, as well as utility and home energy costs for eligible households. This assistance is available retroactive to April 1, 2020 through the date of application, and the applicant may also receive assistance for these same future expenses, for a total of 12 months.
- Pay for current and past due utility and home energy costs for eligible households, even for those not receiving rental assistance.
- Pay grants directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the household.
- Work with a landlord, with the tenant’s permission, to apply for assistance on behalf of their tenant.
The five regional Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies will administer applications and payments for the program.
Full program guidelines and the NHERAP application (online and a printable form) will be available by March 15 at the the CAPNH website.