Shaheen Leads NH Delegation Letter to Treasury Urging Additional Rental Assistance Relief for Granite Staters
**Delegation’s letter follows previous intervention on behalf of the State and recoupment of funds when the State failed to properly manage the ERA program and get relief out the door to Granite Staters**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a New Hampshire congressional delegation letter today signed by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), urging the U.S. Department of Treasury to approve the State of New Hampshire’s recent application for additional Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funding, which has been a lifeline for thousands of New Hampshire families during the pandemic. The congressional delegation fought hard to secure federal dollars through the ERA1 and ERA2 programs that were awarded to the State, and in their letter, urge the agency to approve the State’s request for more ERA dollars.
The delegation urged the Department to approve the additional resources, despite missteps by the State to initially get funding out the door, writing, “Despite hiccups in the initial rollout and administration of the State of New Hampshire’s ERA program, nearly 24,000 Granite State households have benefited from nearly $240 million in rental relief through these critical programs, which we strongly supported in both the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and American Rescue Plan Act. However, we know from our constituents and other stakeholders that the need for this assistance persists in New Hampshire, particularly as we enter the colder months and heating costs increase.”
The delegation closed their letter requesting the Department to extend additional funding to New Hampshire so the thousands of applicants waiting for assistance are stably housed, and pledged to work with the Biden administration and State to ensure the program is successful going forward.
The letter can be read in full here.
Previously, in February 2022, the delegation sent a letter to the Department of Treasury in support of the State’s application for additional funding for the ERA program. Subsequently, however, the State’s failure to get dollars out to Granite Staters in a timely manner resulted in ERA funds being recouped and redistributed to other jurisdictions around the country.
Deadlines and criteria for both ERA1 and ERA2 programs have been available to participating states, counties and municipalities, including the State of New Hampshire, since the programs were established. New Hampshire's ERA program is funded by federal funds secured by the congressional delegation and the program is managed by the State.
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