Housing, food & utilities10 min read

How to find affordable housing in New Hampshire

Housing in New Hampshire is expensive and the help has long waits — but the programs are real, and the sooner you get on the lists, the sooner your name comes up. This guide covers the main options and, importantly, what to do right now if you have nowhere to stay tonight.

Who this is for: Anyone paying too much for rent, on a fixed income, or facing losing their housing.

No safe place to stay tonight?

Call 211(free, 24/7) and say you need emergency shelter. They know which shelters have beds and can connect you to emergency housing help across New Hampshire. You don't need any paperwork to make this call.

The main ways to get affordable housing

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

A voucher pays part of your rent directly to a private landlord. You find a regular apartment and generally pay about 30% of your income toward rent; the voucher covers the rest.

Public housing

Apartments owned and run by a local Housing Authority, rented to income-eligible people at reduced rent. You apply directly to each town's authority.

Get on more than one list

Waitlists are long — often several years for vouchers. The people who get housed sooner are usually the ones who applied to several programs and several towns at once. Apply widely.

Step by step

1
Apply for a Housing Choice Voucher through NH Housing
The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority runs the statewide voucher program. Apply online at hcvportal.nhhousing.org, or call 603-472-8623 (toll-free paper application: 1-800-439-7247).
2
Also apply to your local Housing Authority
Cities like Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth run their own housing programs and separate waitlists. Apply to the ones near you too — see the contacts below.
3
Get on the waitlist and keep your info current
Once you apply, you're on a waitlist. This is the most important part: update your address and phone numberwhenever they change. People lose their spot because the authority couldn't reach them. If you don't have a stable address, ask if you can use a shelter or a trusted person's address.
4
When your name comes up, act fast
They'll contact you to verify income and eligibility. Respond right away and have your documents ready (see below) so you don't lose the offer.

Documents you'll need

Social Security numbers for everyone in your household.
Proof of income — pay stubs, benefit letters (SSI/SSDI, unemployment), or a statement if you have no income.
Photo ID for adults.
Birth certificates for children in the household (sometimes requested).
Proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status.

Don't have these yet? Our guide on how to get the documents you need walks through getting each one.

While you wait — other help

Call 211 for rental assistance programs, mediation to prevent eviction, and local housing help.
Community Action Agencies sometimes have emergency rent or security-deposit help — find yours at capnh.org/cap-lookup.
If you're facing eviction, 603 Legal Aid (1-800-639-5290) offers free legal help — call before your court date.
Ask your Community Mental Health Center about housing supports; many have staff who help clients find and keep housing.