Housing assistance in New Hampshire for immigrants
New Hampshire at a glance
New Hampshire is home to about 85,632 foreign-born residents (6.1% of the state’s 1,394,868 people) and 65,383 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (4.7%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in New Hampshire regardless of immigration status unless noted.
What rent actually costs in New Hampshire — HUD’s official numbers
HUD's Fair Market Rents set the ceiling a Section 8 voucher covers and serve as the official rent benchmark. In New Hampshire (FY 2026), the benchmark rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,950/month (median), ranging from $1,287 (Coos County, NH) to $2,941 (Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area) across the state's 14 rent areas.
| Area (largest by population) | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth-Rochester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,601 | $1,677 | $2,194 | $2,693 | $2,941 |
| Nashua, NH HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,467 | $1,673 | $2,127 | $2,822 | $3,001 |
| Manchester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,404 | $1,552 | $2,037 | $2,442 | $2,697 |
| Merrimack County, NH | $1,361 | $1,504 | $1,974 | $2,604 | $2,614 |
| Lawrence, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,565 | $1,730 | $2,270 | $2,722 | $3,006 |
| Grafton County, NH | $1,445 | $1,455 | $1,909 | $2,590 | $2,630 |
| Cheshire County, NH | $1,328 | $1,468 | $1,926 | $2,518 | $2,550 |
| Belknap County, NH | $1,241 | $1,425 | $1,800 | $2,219 | $2,676 |
Source: HUD FY 2026 Fair Market Rents (effective 2025-10-01; 40th-percentile gross rents — Section 8 payment standards are set at 90-110% of FMR). Look up your county at huduser.gov.
Federal programs in New Hampshire
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) and Public Housing share the same federal rules: low income (typically under 30-50% of Area Median Income) and at least one household member with citizenship or an eligible immigration status — mixed-status families get a prorated voucher rather than nothing. Undocumented members, DACA recipients, and F-1 students don’t count as eligible members. Full eligibility lists and documents: federal housing rules.
To apply in New Hampshire: find your local Public Housing Agency at hud.gov/findpha and get on the waiting list — months to years in tight markets.
Emergency shelters
Available WITHOUT immigration status verification:
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters (DV shelters have enhanced privacy)
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- YWCA / YMCA
- Local churches
National homelessness line: 211 (in many states, connects to local resources)
Do I need ITIN or SSN to rent in New Hampshire?
Not necessarily. Many landlords (especially small individuals) do NOT require SSN to rent. May require: income proof, employer letter, prior landlord references, larger security deposit.
Professionally-managed apartments (large complexes) are stricter about SSN.
Related information
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits
The Section 8 math in one line
A voucher household pays about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the local payment standard (90-110% of the FMRs shown above). Housing discrimination is reportable regardless of immigration status: HUD hotline 1-800-669-9777 (hud.gov fair housing).