New Hampshire has approximately 1,500 people experiencing homelessness on any given night — a relatively small number in a small state, but one with disproportionate urgency. New Hampshire has the highest housing cost burden in New England relative to income for low-wage workers, and the state’s opioid crisis has driven significant housing instability. Manchester is the state’s largest city and has the most developed homeless services. Concord, Nashua, and Portsmouth have smaller but active systems. Rural northern New Hampshire counties have very limited formal services.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in New Hampshire tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in New Hampshire tonight? Call 211 immediately — New Hampshire 211 is available 24 hours across all 10 counties. Tell the operator your city or county and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) — state-level social services through district offices
- NH DHHS district offices — New Hampshire’s regional welfare access points
- Community Action Agencies — New Hampshire has a strong CAA network covering all regions
- Continuums of Care — New Hampshire has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
New Hampshire DHHS administers New Hampshire Family Assistance (TANF) and the Emergency Assistance Program, which can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. New Hampshire also has a NH Emergency Housing Voucher program for individuals experiencing homelessness with a disability.
Always call 211 first.
New Hampshire State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
DHHS administers emergency assistance programs through district offices statewide. The Emergency Assistance Program and Family Assistance (TANF) can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
DHHS contact: 1-800-852-3345 Website: dhhs.nh.gov
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA)
NHHFA distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
NHHFA contact: 603-472-8623 Website: nhhfa.org
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in New Hampshire by Region
Manchester and Hillsborough County
Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest city and has the most developed homeless services in the state, including programs specifically addressing the opioid crisis.
Manchester CoC / New Horizons for New Hampshire Lead CoC partner and primary emergency shelter in Manchester.
- Phone: 603-669-8918
- Website: newhorizonsnh.org
- Intake: 24 hours
- Who they serve: Men, women, and families — comprehensive services including hotel vouchers when shelter is full
Salvation Army of Manchester Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 603-626-6220
- Address: 121 Granite St, Manchester, NH 03101
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Charities NH (Manchester) Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 603-669-3030
- Website: catholiccharitiesnh.org
Families in Transition — New Horizons (women and families) Transitional and emergency housing for women and families in Manchester.
- Phone: 603-622-5038
- Website: fitnh.org
Hillsborough County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 603-627-5600
Concord and Merrimack County
Merrimack County CoC / Friendly Kitchen Coordinates homeless services in the Concord area.
- Phone: 603-225-6663
- Website: friendlykitchen.org
Salvation Army Concord Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 603-225-4357
- Address: 62 South St, Concord, NH 03301
Concord Coalition to End Homelessness Coordinates emergency housing resources for Concord residents.
- Phone: 603-226-0905
- Website: concordhomeless.org
Merrimack County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 603-228-6561
Nashua and Southern New Hampshire
Nashua CoC / Harbor Homes Lead CoC partner and primary homeless services provider in Nashua.
- Phone: 603-881-4822
- Website: harborhomes.org
- Services: Emergency housing, substance use treatment, and mental health — integrated approach
Salvation Army Nashua Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 603-882-5523
- Address: 2 Quincy St, Nashua, NH 03060
Hillsborough County DHHS — Nashua Office County emergency housing assistance for Nashua residents.
- Phone: 603-880-3322
Portsmouth and Seacoast (Rockingham County)
Seacoast CoC / Cross Roads House Lead CoC partner and primary shelter for the Seacoast region.
- Phone: 603-436-2218
- Website: crossroadshouse.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army Portsmouth Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 603-436-5481
- Address: 153 Mirona Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Rockingham County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 603-679-2256
Laconia and the Lakes Region (Belknap County)
Lakes Region CoC / Belknap County Community Action Program Coordinates homeless services in the Lakes Region.
- Phone: 603-524-9707
- Website: bccap.org
Salvation Army Laconia Emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 603-524-3366
Belknap County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 603-527-5400
North Country (Coos, Grafton counties)
New Hampshire’s North Country — Coos County and northern Grafton County — is some of the most rural territory in New England with very limited formal homeless services.
- North Country Community Action Program (NCCAP): 603-444-6050 — serves Coos and Grafton counties
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in North Country communities
- Your DHHS district office — find at dhhs.nh.gov
- 211 — always call first even in the North Country
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in New Hampshire
| Priority Group | New Hampshire-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; DHHS Family Assistance can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | NH DV Hotline: 1-800-852-3388 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Manchester and White River Junction (VT) |
| People with disabilities | NH Emergency Housing Voucher program specifically for this group |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most programs |
| People with substance use disorders | Harbor Homes in Nashua integrates treatment with housing |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| North Country residents | NCCAP and local churches primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in New Hampshire — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 10 New Hampshire counties.
Step 2: If you are in Manchester, call New Horizons for New Hampshire at 603-669-8918 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 603-626-6220.
Step 3: If you are in Nashua, call Harbor Homes at 603-881-4822.
Step 4: If you are in Concord, call the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness at 603-226-0905.
Step 5: If you are on the Seacoast, call Cross Roads House at 603-436-2218 (24 hours).
Step 6: Contact your local DHHS district office and ask about Emergency Assistance or Family Assistance hotel placements.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your New Hampshire Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for New Hampshire SNAP at dhhs.nh.gov or call 1-800-852-3345. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for NH Medicaid: Apply at dhhs.nh.gov for New Hampshire Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment. New Hampshire expanded Medicaid in 2014, making more adults eligible.
Enter coordinated entry: In Manchester, contact New Horizons or call 211. In Nashua, contact Harbor Homes. On the Seacoast, contact Cross Roads House. Coordinated entry is your pathway to rapid rehousing and stable housing. Knowing what assistance programs are available in your area before your first case manager meeting helps you ask the right questions.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your county. Manchester, Nashua, and the Seacoast have had more active programs than the North Country — ask early in your placement.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local New Hampshire PHA. Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority: 603-624-2100. NH PHAs have waitlists — apply now and explore other housing voucher programs simultaneously. Understanding how the voucher waiting list process works helps you stay active and compliant on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in New Hampshire?
Call 211 from anywhere in New Hampshire — available 24 hours across all 10 counties. In Manchester, call New Horizons for New Hampshire at 603-669-8918 (24 hours). In Nashua, call Harbor Homes at 603-881-4822. In Concord, call the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness at 603-226-0905. On the Seacoast, call Cross Roads House at 603-436-2218.
What is the NH Emergency Housing Voucher program?
New Hampshire has a specific Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program for people experiencing homelessness who also have a disability. These vouchers provide longer-term housing assistance and are administered through local housing authorities. Contact your local DHHS office or call 211 and ask specifically about Emergency Housing Vouchers for people with disabilities. This is one of the faster routes to stable housing for eligible individuals in New Hampshire.
Does New Hampshire have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. New Hampshire does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through DHHS district offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Manchester, Nashua, and the Seacoast have the most resources — the North Country has significantly fewer. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in New Hampshire?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. DHHS can authorize emergency hotel placements through Family Assistance for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Families in Transition in Manchester specifically serves women and families. Families who stabilize may also qualify for rental assistance programs to avoid returning to crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in New Hampshire?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. New Hampshire is served by the Manchester VA Medical Center with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing. Veterans in the Upper Valley and North Country areas may also be served by the White River Junction VA in Vermont.
What is Harbor Homes in Nashua?
Harbor Homes is one of New Hampshire’s most innovative homeless service organizations, integrating housing assistance with substance use treatment and mental health services. This integrated approach makes them especially effective for people experiencing both homelessness and addiction. Call 603-881-4822. Their programs serve Nashua and the surrounding area and have received national recognition for outcomes.
What if I am homeless in New Hampshire’s North Country?
The North Country — Coos County and northern Grafton County — has very limited formal hotel voucher programs. North Country Community Action Program (NCCAP) at 603-444-6050 is the primary CAA. Local churches are often the main emergency resource. Call 211 — even in the North Country, operators know local resources not publicly listed. In extreme cold weather emergencies, call immediately.
How long do hotel vouchers last in New Hampshire?
Most New Hampshire emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Manchester and Nashua programs sometimes offer longer placements for families or people with complex needs. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately.