Gorham Family Resource Center

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.
• 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).
• 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.
• Pay grants directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of the household.
• 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.
• 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 available by clicking here.
• Call Tri-County Community Action Program (Tri-County CAP) at (603) 444-0184 to request a paper application to be mailed to you.
• If you need assistance in completing the application, contact Tri-County CAP for assistance.
• When you apply, Tri-County CAP staff 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.
• TCCAP will review applications, determine eligibility, and process payments for expenses to landlords and utilities. Tri-County CAP staff are also available to assist with the application process.
• Applications are processed in the order that they are received.
• We will make every effort to process each application as quickly as possible; times will vary according to volume.
• 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).

We encourage you to fill out the application online.

If you prefer to complete a paper application, click here to download the application PDF. You will need to mail the completed application to the CAP with all required documents.

Le recomendamos que llene la solicitud en línea.

Si prefiere completar una aplicación en papel, haga clic aquí para abrir la aplicación PDF. Deberá enviar por correo la solicitud completada al CAP con todos los documentos requeridos.

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