Shaheen Leads NH Delegation to Announce New ERA1 Rental Assistance to Help Bridge Shortfall in Funding for Program, Delegation Vows to Keep Fighting for More Aid

**The U.S. Department of Treasury’s additional supplemental funds follows the congressional delegation’s appeal earlier this week to provide additional federal assistance to the State**  

**Delegation’s announcement follows previous intervention on behalf of the State and recoupment of funds from NH 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 the New Hampshire congressional delegation in announcing an additional $2.4 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the State of New Hampshire through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The funds, allocated under the ERA1 program, have 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. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the delegation’s appeal to the Treasury Department earlier this week for additional emergency rental assistance after the State suddenly shuttered the program. 

“I appreciate the Department of Treasury heeding our calls for additional resources to help bridge the gap and continue supporting New Hampshire’s rental assistance program. While this aid will not fully replace the money the State left on the table to be recouped and the full amount needed to run the program through September 2025 as intended, it will provide additional resources that can be used to support the 3,386 residents who were left with applications pending when the State abruptly ended the program without warning,” said Shaheen. “I want to thank staff at New Hampshire’s Community Action Partnership agencies and New Hampshire Housing who are working diligently to help households who heartbreakingly had the rug pulled out from under them last week when this program was unexpectedly shuttered by the State, especially as the coldest months approach. I am hopeful these additional federal funds secured by the delegation will allow advocates in New Hampshire to continue assisting households who have relied on the rental assistance program. This funding is good news, but more aid will be necessary to meet the demand from Granite Staters in need – I’ll keep fighting to get them the assistance to stay safely housed.” 

“I’m glad our Congressional Delegation was able to secure some additional funding for the ERA program. While this is a positive step forward, we know that there is more work to be done, and we will keep working on ways to get New Hampshire additional funding so that families have the help and support that they need,” said Senator Hassan. 

“Too many Granite State families are struggling to afford housing, and these resources that our Congressional Delegation helped secure are critical to keeping folks in their homes, especially during the cold fall and winter months,” said Representative Kuster. “We know that Granite Staters continue to struggle with high costs and I will continue working to deliver resources for New Hampshire to support individuals and families throughout our state.” 

“The Emergency Rental Assistance Program has provided the support that was intended when Congress created it, and it’s welcome news that these additional funds will be delivered to New Hampshire to keep people safely housed,” said Representative Pappas. “But we continue to grapple with an extreme shortage of affordable housing in New Hampshire, and there is more we must do to end our housing crisis. I’ll continue to work with the state, our CAP agencies, and local housing authorities to address the challenges they’re facing and deliver additional assistance that will support people struggling to find safe, affordable housing.” 

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 to assist with rent, utilities and home energy costs, including arrearages. The program is managed by the State. New Hampshire’s ERA program was paused on October 21, 2022 and is not currently accepting new applications. 

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