Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has 20 housing authorities managing a combined 128 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 61 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 48%. This data was last verified on Aug 30, 2026.
Affordable housing assistance in New Hampshire is managed by 20 housing authorities overseeing a total of 95 waiting lists. Currently, 37 lists are open, representing a 39% open rate, while 41 lists are closed. The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) manages a statewide Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which operates separately from local housing authority lists such as those in Manchester and Nashua.
Various program types offer assistance across the state. The Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV) has 6 open lists out of 20, and Public Housing programs also have 6 open lists from a total of 19. Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs have 5 open lists out of 10. Other common programs include Mainstream (2 open lists from 6), RAD (1 open list from 4), and general "Other" housing programs (3 open lists from 7). Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs collectively have 2 open lists out of 3. An example includes LIHTC (Addison Place) with 1 open list, whereas LIHTC (Addison Place Family Housing) has 0 open lists. Further specific programs with open lists include Family Housing, Permanent Housing - Mary's House, Permanent Supportive Housing, Affordable Housing (Roosevelt East Apartments), Rental Assistance, Rental Assistance - 3-Bedroom, SSVF, Senior and Disabled Housing, Transitional Housing, and Transitional Housing for Veterans.
Applicants seeking housing assistance may find more opportunities in certain areas. Nashua currently has 10 open lists across its 2 housing authorities, making it a key area for applicants. Berlin has 4 open lists through its 3 housing authorities, and Dover has 5 open lists through its single housing authority. Concord has 2 open lists from its one housing authority. Recent changes illustrate the dynamic nature of these lists; for example, the Lancaster Housing Authority in Berlin recently changed the status of its Mainstream, RAD, and PBV lists from unknown to closed. Given that list statuses can change, potential applicants are encouraged to explore options in multiple cities and programs to improve their chances of securing assistance.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in New Hampshire include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (5 open), Public Housing (7 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (6 open), Mainstream (3 open), RAD (1 open). Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in New Hampshire right now are Nashua (25), Somersworth (9), Portsmouth (5), Dover (5), and Berlin (4) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority — Affordable Permanent Housing (2 & 3 Bedroom Units)
Eligibility Requirements for New Hampshire
To qualify for assistance in New Hampshire, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority.
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official New Hampshire legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.