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Last updated: July 12, 2026
Bottom line
New Hampshire does not have one application that covers every income-based senior apartment. Start with the New Hampshire housing search, which includes a statewide Directory of Housing. Then apply separately to New Hampshire Housing, local housing authorities, and apartment managers that fit your needs.
The most important question is: “Is my rent based on my income, or is this only an income-restricted apartment with a fixed rent?” Both can be called affordable housing, but the monthly cost can be very different.
This guide focuses on finding and applying for long-term affordable rentals. For broader rent, shelter, and home-related help, see our New Hampshire housing help guide. For food, health, utility, and other benefits, use our New Hampshire senior benefits guide.
Important vacancy warning
This article does not claim that any apartment, voucher list, or public housing list is open today. Listings and waitlists can change without warning. A property shown in an official directory may have no current opening. A housing authority may open one list while keeping another closed.
Always call the property or housing authority before sending personal papers or paying any fee. Ask whether the exact list you need is open, how to apply, and how the office will contact you.
If you need housing now
Do not wait for a long-term apartment list if you may lose housing, are sleeping outside, or have nowhere safe to stay. Call 2-1-1 or use 211 New Hampshire for shelter and local housing-crisis referrals. New Hampshire Housing also directs renters to town welfare offices and local Community Action agencies for emergency needs.
Our New Hampshire emergency guide covers additional crisis contacts. If an eviction notice, discrimination, or another legal issue is involved, contact 603 Legal Aid housing help or call 603-224-3333 for guidance.
Where to start first
| Your need | Best first step | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Search affordable apartments statewide | New Hampshire Housing directory | Which listings are senior, subsidized, or income-restricted? |
| Apply for a portable voucher | New Hampshire Housing HCV application | Is my application complete, and which preferences apply? |
| Find city public housing | Local housing authority | Which elderly, disabled, or one-bedroom lists are open? |
| Find HUD-assisted buildings | HUD property search | Does the property have Section 202 or project-based assistance? |
| Find rural rentals | USDA rental search | Does this property have rental assistance for tenants? |
| Get help making calls | Local Aging and Disability Resource Center | Can you help me organize applications and local contacts? |
New Hampshire Housing is the state housing-finance agency and a major statewide voucher administrator. Its voucher application page offers online and paper application paths. You can call 1-800-439-7247 or 603-472-8623 for rental-assistance questions.
Income-based rent and income-restricted rent are not the same
| Housing term | How the rent usually works | Main question |
|---|---|---|
| Income-based | The tenant share is tied to household income, often after allowed deductions. | What percentage or formula will be used? |
| Income-restricted | You must be below an income limit, but rent may be a fixed affordable amount. | What is the full monthly rent? |
| Subsidized unit | A voucher or property subsidy pays part of the approved rent. | Is the subsidy tied to me or the unit? |
| Senior housing | The property has an age rule. | What age rule applies, and is there also a rent subsidy? |
| Accessible unit | The unit has some disability-related features. | Which exact features are present? |
An apartment can be senior housing without being income-based. It can also be income-restricted but still cost more than a person living mainly on Social Security can afford. Ask for the rent, utility costs, deposits, and all required fees before applying.
The main apartment paths in New Hampshire
Section 202 housing for seniors
HUD Section 202 housing serves very low-income households with at least one person age 62 or older. The subsidy is connected to the building, not carried from apartment to apartment.
Where to start: Use the New Hampshire Housing Directory of Housing and the HUD property search. Contact each property manager directly.
Reality check: Section 202 is independent apartment housing. It is not automatically assisted living and may not include meals, personal care, or medication help.
Public housing
HUD public housing is owned or managed by a local public housing authority. Some New Hampshire authorities have buildings or lists aimed at older adults and people with disabilities.
Where to start: Apply with each housing authority serving an area where you could live. The statewide voucher application does not replace a city public-housing application.
Reality check: Housing authorities are separate organizations. Their programs, local preferences, application methods, and open lists can differ.
Housing Choice Vouchers
The Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8, helps eligible households rent from a participating private landlord. The voucher normally moves with the household, subject to program rules. HUD explains the national program on its voucher tenant page for tenants.
New Hampshire path: New Hampshire Housing runs a major statewide voucher program. Some city housing authorities also administer vouchers in their areas.
Reality check: The current New Hampshire application page gives most applicants an estimated wait of seven to nine years and says the actual time may be shorter or longer. Do not stop other housing searches after joining this list.
Project-Based Vouchers
A Project-Based Voucher (PBV) is tied to a particular apartment or development. It does not work like a portable voucher at the start. New Hampshire Housing explains its PBV and Mod Rehab programs and says its Housing Choice Voucher application is also used for its PBV sub-list.
Where to start: Complete the New Hampshire Housing application and ask whether you are on the PBV sub-list. Also ask property managers whether they use a separate tenant-selection process.
Reality check: A property opening does not mean every applicant will be referred. The housing agency and owner may each have screening steps.
Project-Based Rental Assistance
Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) is generally a HUD contract with a specific multifamily property owner. The HUD property search includes many properties with project-based Section 8 assistance. The assistance stays with the unit.
Where to start: Search HUD-assisted properties, then apply with the management office. Ask whether the unit has PBRA, whether rent is based on income, and whether the property keeps its own waitlist.
Reality check: PBRA, PBV, and public housing may look similar to a renter, but they have different administrators and application lists.
USDA rural rental housing
USDA Rural Development supports rental housing for low-income, older, and disabled residents in eligible rural areas. Use the USDA rental search to find properties, then apply through the property manager.
New Hampshire contact: The Vermont and New Hampshire Rural Development office lists housing help at 603-223-6035 and multifamily questions at 1-800-292-8293. Its current contact page is the USDA state office serving both states.
Reality check: A USDA-financed apartment is not always income-based. Ask whether rental assistance is attached to the unit and what happens if assistance is not available.
LIHTC and other income-restricted apartments
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program helps finance affordable rental developments. New Hampshire Housing administers the state allocation process through its LIHTC program for developers.
Where to start: Use the state Directory of Housing and contact the manager. Ask for the income limit, fixed rent, utilities, fees, and age rules.
Reality check: LIHTC usually means income-restricted, not rent based on your exact income. A household can qualify by income and still find the rent unaffordable.
New Hampshire regional and rural guidance
New Hampshire is small, but housing searches are highly local. A workable search area should consider medical care, winter driving, public transportation, groceries, and family help.
- Manchester and Nashua: Check the city housing authorities as well as New Hampshire Housing. These are separate application paths.
- Concord and central New Hampshire: Add Concord Housing and nearby town options. Ask whether a listed property serves only Concord or a wider area.
- Seacoast and Strafford County: Contact Portsmouth, Dover, and Rochester-area authorities separately. High market rents make it important to ask whether a unit has a true subsidy.
- Lakes Region: Contact Laconia Housing and search Belknap County in the state directory. Ask about transportation and winter utility costs.
- Monadnock Region: Keene Housing is a key local starting point. Also search smaller communities in Cheshire County.
- Upper Valley: Check Lebanon Housing and Grafton County listings. Ask whether the property is near transit, medical care, and essential shopping.
- North Country: Search Coös County, call Berlin Housing, and use USDA rural listings. Ask whether applications can be mailed or completed by phone if travel is difficult.
A local Aging and Disability center can help with information and referrals. Call 1-866-634-9412. Our New Hampshire aging offices guide also lists local starting points.
How to start without wasting time
- Choose several workable areas. Include places near doctors, food stores, transit, and people who help you.
- Use three searches. Check the state directory, HUD properties, and USDA rural rentals where appropriate.
- Apply to separate lists. A statewide voucher application does not place you on every city or building list.
- Separate true subsidies. Mark each option as income-based, voucher, PBV/PBRA, public housing, USDA-assisted, or fixed LIHTC rent.
- Ask the full monthly cost. Rent alone may not include heat, electricity, parking, laundry, or required services.
- Keep contact details current. Report address, phone, email, income, and household changes as each program requires.
- Follow the office’s rule. Ask when and how it wants status checks. Do not use a made-up monthly calling schedule.
For help using state benefit websites while you gather income documents, see our New Hampshire benefits portals guide.
Questions about monthly cost and household composition
| Topic | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Rent formula | Is rent based on my income, or is it a fixed income-restricted rent? |
| Utilities | Which utilities are included, and which must I pay? |
| Heat | What fuel heats the unit, and who pays for it? |
| Fees | Are there application, screening, parking, pet, laundry, storage, meal, or service fees? |
| Move-in cost | What deposit and first-month amount are required? |
| Rent changes | When can rent change, and how is a change explained? |
| Voucher use | Does this unit accept my issuing housing authority’s voucher? |
| Household members | Who must be listed, even if they have little or no income? |
| Live-in aide | How do I request approval for a disability-related live-in aide? |
| Caregiver visits | What guest rules apply to a caregiver who stays overnight? |
| Bedroom size | How does household size affect the unit or voucher bedroom size? |
| Family changes | How do I report a spouse, adult child, grandchild, or other person moving in or out? |
| Animals | What is the process for a pet or disability-related assistance animal? |
| Accessibility | Which features are actually in the unit, and can I see them before signing? |
| Services | Are meals, transportation, housekeeping, or personal care included, optional, or unavailable? |
Application tracking table
Use one row for every authority, building, or program. Keep copies of applications, confirmation pages, letters, and envelopes.
| Program or property | Type | Date applied | Contact | Confirmation | Next step they gave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Documents and information to gather
- Photo identification for adult household members.
- Social Security numbers or required verification for household members.
- Birth certificates or other age documents when requested.
- Social Security, pension, wages, interest, and other income records.
- Bank and asset information requested by the program.
- Current lease, rent amount, utility bills, and landlord contact.
- Mailing address, phone, email, and a trusted alternate contact.
- Disability-related request information when seeking an accommodation.
- Voucher, denial, termination, eviction, or waitlist letters.
Do not email sensitive documents to an address you found in an advertisement. Confirm the office and submission method through its official website or phone line.
Reasonable accommodation and reasonable modification
A reasonable accommodation changes a rule, policy, service, or way of communicating. Examples may include extra help completing an application, an alternate format, a live-in aide request, or an exception related to a disability.
A reasonable modification is a physical change, such as a ramp or grab bar. Under the Fair Housing Act, payment responsibility can depend on the housing and funding. In federally assisted housing, additional Section 504 duties may require the provider to pay for a needed structural change. Do not assume you must pay before asking the housing provider and getting advice.
HUD provides national disability housing guidance. New Hampshire’s housing rights guide explains accommodation rights. For broader disability-related support, see our New Hampshire disability guide for other state resources.
If you believe a housing provider denied a disability-related request or treated you differently because of a protected status, contact the NH Human Rights Commission at 603-271-2767. Deadlines can be short, so act promptly.
Rental scam warnings
- Do not wire money, use gift cards, or send payment through an unfamiliar app.
- Confirm the address and landlord or management company.
- Do not pay before you understand the fee and application process.
- Be suspicious of guaranteed vouchers, guaranteed approval, or promises to move you to the top of a list.
- Do not give a Social Security number through a social-media message or text link.
- Use official agency pages rather than paid “Section 8 application” websites.
New Hampshire Housing’s search page warns renters to verify the landlord and unit and not send money before meeting the landlord and deciding to proceed.
What to do if denied, delayed, or removed from a waitlist
- Read the notice. Find the reason, deadline, and review or hearing instructions.
- Check simple errors. Confirm the agency has your correct address, phone, household members, and income records.
- Ask for the rule. Request the policy or document used to make the decision.
- Submit missing proof. Keep a copy and get confirmation that it was received.
- Request an accommodation. A disability may explain a missed deadline or need for another communication method.
- Use the stated appeal path. Do not rely only on a phone conversation when the notice requires a written response.
- Get legal help. Call 603 Legal Aid quickly when housing loss, termination, discrimination, or an appeal deadline is involved.
A closed waitlist is not the same as a personal denial. Keep searching other authorities, HUD-assisted properties, USDA rentals, and fixed affordable apartments. Our national income-based apartment guide explains the main federal terms in more detail.
Phone scripts
Ask a property about rent
“Hello. I am an older adult looking for affordable housing. Is this rent based on my income, or is it a fixed income-restricted rent? Is the waitlist open, and what is the full monthly cost including utilities and fees?”
Call a housing authority
“Hello. I want to apply for housing in your area. Which public housing, voucher, elderly, disabled, or one-bedroom lists can I apply to now? Do I need a separate application for each program?”
Request a disability accommodation
“I have a disability-related need that affects the application process. I am requesting a reasonable accommodation. Please tell me how to make the request and what information you need about the connection between my disability and the request.”
Ask about a denial or waitlist problem
“I received a notice about my application. Please explain the reason, the deadline, and the review or hearing process. Can you also confirm the address and household information you have for me?”
Resumen en español
En New Hampshire no hay una sola solicitud para todos los apartamentos económicos para personas mayores. Empiece con el Directorio de Viviendas de New Hampshire Housing. Después, solicite por separado con New Hampshire Housing, las autoridades locales y las oficinas de cada propiedad.
- Pregunte si la renta se calcula según sus ingresos o si es una renta fija con límite de ingresos.
- Confirme si la lista de espera está abierta antes de enviar documentos.
- Pregunte por servicios públicos, calefacción, depósito, estacionamiento, lavandería y otros cargos.
- Para ayuda en una crisis de vivienda, llame al 2-1-1.
- Para información local sobre servicios para personas mayores, llame al 1-866-634-9412.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a New Hampshire senior search first?
Start with New Hampshire Housing’s statewide Directory of Housing. Then check HUD-assisted properties, USDA rural rentals, and every local housing authority serving an area where you could live.
Does one New Hampshire application cover every apartment?
No. New Hampshire Housing, city housing authorities, and individual properties may keep separate applications and waitlists.
Is every senior apartment income-based?
No. Some senior apartments only have an age rule. Others have an income limit but charge a fixed rent. Ask how rent is calculated.
What is the difference between PBV and PBRA?
Both are tied to a property. A Project-Based Voucher is generally administered by a public housing agency. Project-Based Rental Assistance is generally provided through a HUD multifamily contract with the property owner.
Can a senior apply to more than one housing authority?
Yes, when the authority accepts applications and the senior could live in that service area. Each authority may have different lists and rules.
What should I do if a waitlist is closed?
Ask whether another program list is open, search other authorities and properties, and ask when the office will publish future openings. Do not pay anyone who promises a guaranteed place.
Can I ask for application help because of a disability?
Yes. A person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation needed for equal access to the application or housing program.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified July 12, 2026, next review October 12, 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: July 12, 2026
Next review: October 12, 2026
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