FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2020
For more information please contact:
Zenagui Brahim
President, NH MEP
603-226-3200
zenaguib@nhmep.org
The Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief & Recovery (GOFERR) has announced the New Hampshire Housing Relief Program, an initiative designed to keep people from losing their housing and to secure or maintain permanent housing.
There is a concern about the current moratorium on evictions. Many people who could access these funds are not doing so since they cannot be evicted at this time. The issue is that the safeguard from eviction and these funds are currently scheduled to end on the same day (December 30, 2020). Therefore, when evictions can occur, there will be no funds to help with back payments, locating housing or other ways to assist. Individuals and families who have been financially affected by COVID-19 and are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage are strongly encouraged to apply for funding before the deadline of December 30, 2020.
GOFERR will distribute funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) who will then make an initial disbursement of funds to New Hampshire’s five Community Action Program (CAP) agencies, with additional funding provided based on use and need. The CAP agencies have experience administering other emergency housing funds, and their experience working with renters and property owners throughout the communities they serve will allow the Housing Relief Program funds to quickly reach people who are struggling to pay their rent. They are also well-positioned to connect renters with other resources and services they may need.
To learn more and apply for funding, visit https://www.capnh.org/