What Housing Programs Are Available in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has three main paths to low-income housing: Section 8 vouchers administered by local housing authorities, public housing owned and operated by those same authorities, and tax-credit apartments built with federal money but run by private landlords. Each has different wait times, income limits, and rules about how much rent you pay.
The state does not run a single statewide program. Instead, each city and county has its own housing authority that manages Section 8 and public housing for that area. This means the wait list in Manchester is separate from the wait list in Nashua, and income limits can shift slightly between regions, though they follow federal guidelines. Tax-credit apartments are scattered across the state and do not go through a housing authority—you contact the landlord or property manager directly.
New Hampshire also has emergency rental information for people behind on rent, though that fund opens and closes depending on state funding. The Community Action Partnership agencies across the state can point you toward whatever is currently available in your county.
Key Takeaways
- Section 8 vouchers and public housing are managed by your local housing authority, and you must contact the authority in the city or county where you live or work.
- Income limits for Section 8 in New Hampshire range from roughly $24,000 to $40,000 per year for a single person, depending on your household size and the specific authority, but these figures change annually.
- Wait lists for Section 8 and public housing are often closed, and when they open, they fill quickly—call your local authority to ask when they next plan to accept new names.
- Tax-credit apartments do not require you to go through a housing authority and may have shorter wait times, but you must find them yourself and contact the property directly.
- Emergency rental information is available through Community Action Partnership offices when funds are open, and you will need proof of income, a lease, and documentation of the hardship.
Section 8 Vouchers and Public Housing in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has 13 local housing authorities spread across the state. The largest are Manchester Housing Authority, Nashua Housing Authority, and Portsmouth Housing Authority, but every city and many towns have their own. You explore to the authority in the area where you live or work, not to the state.
Section 8 vouchers let you rent from any landlord who will accept the program. You pay a portion of the rent (usually 30 percent of your income), and the housing authority pays the rest directly to the landlord. Public housing means you rent an apartment owned by the authority itself. Both programs use the same income limits, which are set by the federal government and adjusted each year. For 2024, the income limit for a single person is roughly 50 percent of the area median income—in most New Hampshire counties this falls between $24,000 and $28,000 per year, but it is higher in Rockingham County (which includes Portsmouth and the seacoast) and lower in rural counties. A family of four typically has a limit around $38,000 to $42,000.
Wait lists are the real barrier. Most New Hampshire housing authorities close their wait lists when they reach a certain size and do not reopen them for months or years. When a list does open, it fills in days or weeks. Call the authority in your area and ask: Is the wait list open? If not, when did it last close, and do they have any sense of when it might open again? Some authorities keep a "future applicant" list you can join even when the main list is closed.
Finding Your Local Housing Authority
New Hampshire's housing authorities are organized by county and city. The main ones are listed below, but if your town is not listed, contact the county authority or call 211 (a statewide referral line) and ask for the housing authority serving your area.
| Authority | Service Area | Contact Method |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester Housing Authority | Manchester and surrounding towns | Phone or website search for "Manchester Housing Authority NH" |
| Nashua Housing Authority | Nashua and surrounding towns | Phone or website search for "Nashua Housing Authority NH" |
| Portsmouth Housing Authority | Portsmouth and surrounding towns | Phone or website search for "Portsmouth Housing Authority NH" |
| Strafford County Housing Authority | Rochester, Dover, and other Strafford County towns | Phone or website search for "Strafford County Housing Authority" |
| Hillsborough County Housing Authority | Concord, Keene, and other Hillsborough County towns | Phone or website search for "Hillsborough County Housing Authority" |
When you call, have your household size, current income, and any documentation of recent hardship ready. Ask whether the wait list is open and, if it is, what documents you need to bring. Most authorities want proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), and identification. If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, ask if that changes the process—some authorities prioritize people in crisis.
Tax-Credit Apartments and Other Private Options
Tax-credit apartments are privately owned but built with federal tax credits, which means the owner agrees to rent to low-income tenants at below-market rates. You do not explore through a housing authority. Instead, you find the property, contact the landlord or management company, and explore directly. Income limits for tax-credit apartments are usually the same as Section 8 (50 percent of area median income), but some properties set their own limits, so ask before you spend time on an process.
The advantage is that wait lists are often shorter or nonexistent—you may move in within weeks instead of years. The disadvantage is that you have to find them yourself. The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority maintains a searchable database of tax-credit properties on its website. You can also call 211 and ask for tax-credit apartments in your area, or contact Community Action Partnership agencies, which often know which properties have openings.
Rent in a tax-credit apartment is usually 30 percent of your income, the same as Section 8, but the property sets the exact amount. Some properties also require a security deposit, though many waive it for low-income tenants. Ask about this before you explore.
Emergency Rental information When You Are Behind on Rent
If you owe back rent and are at risk of eviction, New Hampshire's Emergency Rental information Program may help. The program pays landlords directly to cover rent you already owe, not rent coming due. It is administered through Community Action Partnership agencies across the state, and funding comes from the state and federal government, so the program opens and closes depending on available money.
To use this program, you need: proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), a signed lease, proof that you owe rent (a notice from your landlord or court documents), and proof of the hardship that caused you to fall behind (job loss letter, medical bills, or a written explanation). The program typically covers up to three months of back rent, though this varies by county.
Contact the Community Action Partnership office in your county to ask whether the fund is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can be added to a waiting list. Processing usually takes two to four weeks once you submit everything, so tell your landlord you have applied and ask them to hold off on filing for eviction if possible.
Income Limits and What Counts as Income
New Hampshire uses federal income limits, which are set at 50 percent of the area median income for Section 8 and public housing. These limits change every year, usually in April. For 2024, a single person in most counties can earn up to roughly $24,000 to $28,000 per year; a family of four can earn up to roughly $38,000 to $42,000. Rockingham County (the seacoast region) has higher limits because the cost of living is higher there.
Income includes wages, salary, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and any regular money you receive. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or money from selling something you own. If you are self-employed, the housing authority will ask for tax returns from the past two years to calculate your average income.
If your income is slightly above the limit, ask the housing authority anyway. Some programs have exceptions for elderly people or people with disabilities, and some count deductions (like medical expenses) that can lower your counted income. It never hurts to ask.
What Disqualifies You from Section 8 or Public Housing
New Hampshire housing authorities must deny you if you have been evicted for drug-related activity in the past three years, if you owe money to a housing authority in New Hampshire or elsewhere, or if you have a criminal conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine. A prior eviction for non-payment does not automatically disqualify you, but it will be reviewed, and you may be asked to explain what happened and how you have addressed the problem.
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you either. The housing authority will look at the nature of the crime, how long ago it happened, and what you have done since. Violent felonies, drug dealing, and sex offenses are taken seriously, but a single misdemeanor from years ago is unlikely to be a barrier. If you have a record, be honest about it when you explore—the authority will run a background check anyway, and lying will disqualify you.
If you are currently using illegal drugs, you cannot be in the program. If you have a history of drug use but are in recovery or treatment, tell the housing authority. Some will work with you, especially if you can show proof of treatment or a recovery program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get Section 8 or public housing in New Hampshire?
If the wait list is open and you are accepted, you will be placed on a list. From there, it typically takes one to three years to reach the top, though it can be much longer in large cities like Manchester and Nashua. Some people wait five years or more. Public housing sometimes moves faster than Section 8 because there are fewer people on the list, but not always. Call your local authority and ask how many people are ahead of you on the current list.
Can I be on the wait list in more than one city?
Yes. You can explore to the housing authority in Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth all at the same time if you are willing to live in any of those areas. Each authority has its own separate wait list and process. This increases your chances of getting housing sooner, but you will have to keep track of multiple applications and let each authority know if you are no longer interested.
What if I have an eviction case pending?
Tell the housing authority about the pending case when you explore. In most cases, an active eviction does not disqualify you—it may actually move you up the priority list because you are in crisis. Bring the court notice with you so the authority knows the timeline. Some authorities can contact the court on your behalf to ask for a delay while you wait for housing.
Do I have to pay a deposit to move into Section 8 or public housing?
No. Section 8 and public housing do not require security deposits. You pay your portion of the rent (usually 30 percent of your income) and move in. If you damage the unit beyond normal wear and tear, you may be charged, but you do not pay money upfront.
What happens if my income goes up after I get Section 8?
You must report the income increase to the housing authority. Your rent will go up to reflect the new income, but you will not lose your voucher. If your income rises above the program limit, you will be given time to find other housing before the voucher ends, usually 12 months. This is called "income recertification," and it happens every year.