What the Nashua Housing Authority does

The Nashua Housing Authority is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Nashua, New Hampshire. It owns and operates apartment complexes where rent is set based on your income rather than market rates. The Authority also administers Section 8 vouchers, which let you rent from a private landlord while the program pays a portion of your rent directly to that landlord.

The Authority is not a landlord you call for repairs or lease questions at just one property — it manages multiple housing developments across the city and handles both public housing units and the voucher program. If you live in a Nashua Housing Authority building, your lease is with the Authority itself. If you hold a Section 8 voucher, you find your own rental unit and the Authority pays the landlord on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • The Nashua Housing Authority manages public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers, and rent is based on your household income, not market price.
  • Public housing waitlists are typically long; you can explore in person at the Authority's office or ask about their current intake status before visiting.
  • Section 8 vouchers work differently from public housing — you find your own rental unit and the program pays the landlord a portion of the rent.
  • The Authority's office is located in Nashua and handles lease questions, maintenance requests, and rent calculations for tenants in their buildings.
  • Income limits and rent calculations change yearly, so your rent may increase or decrease based on your reported household income.

Public housing apartments and how rent works

Nashua Housing Authority public housing is apartment units the Authority owns directly. When you live in one of these units, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income, or the minimum rent set by the Authority — whichever is higher. The minimum rent is typically between $300 and $400 per month, though this amount can change. You pay the Authority directly, not a private landlord.

To live in public housing, your household income must fall below the income limit set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for your area. These limits change each year and depend on household size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's limit. The Authority verifies your income when you explore and again each year when your lease renews.

Public housing units include utilities in some cases and exclude them in others — this varies by building. When you tour a unit or call the Authority, ask whether water, sewer, trash, heat, or electricity are included in your rent. If they are not included, you pay those bills separately to the utility company.

Section 8 vouchers and how to use them

A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from any private landlord in the Nashua area who agrees to participate in the program. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent each month. You pay the difference between what the Authority pays and the actual rent — this is called your "tenant contribution."

Your tenant contribution is also based on 30 percent of your gross household income. If the rent is $1,200 and the Authority pays $900, you pay $300. If your income drops, your contribution drops. If your income rises, your contribution rises, though the Authority may recalculate only once per year depending on your lease renewal date.

The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and sign a lease with both you and the Authority. Not all landlords participate — some prefer to rent at market rate without the program's paperwork and inspections. The Authority maintains a list of participating landlords, and you can also search for units on your own and ask the landlord if they will accept a voucher.

how the process works and what to expect on the waitlist

To explore for either public housing or a Section 8 voucher, you contact the Nashua Housing Authority directly. The office is located in Nashua, and you can visit in person to pick up an process or ask about current intake. Some housing authorities accept applications by mail or online, but you should confirm Nashua's current process when you call, because intake policies change.

Both public housing and Section 8 have waitlists. The length of the waitlist varies — public housing waitlists in many cities are several years long, while Section 8 waitlists can be even longer or may be closed entirely. When you call or visit, ask whether the waitlist is currently open and how long the wait typically is. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen.

Once you explore and are placed on the waitlist, the Authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. This can take months or years. During that time, your contact information must stay current — if you move, call the Authority to update your address so they can reach you when your name comes up.

Income verification and annual recertification

When you explore, you must provide proof of your household income. This typically means recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, child support, or other income, bring documentation for that as well. The Authority needs to verify that your income is below the limit for your household size.

Each year, usually around your lease renewal date, the Authority recertifies your income. You report your current household income and provide updated documentation. If your income has increased, your rent may increase. If your income has decreased, your rent may decrease. This is why it is important to report income changes to the Authority — if you do not report a decrease, you may be paying more rent than you should.

If your income rises above the limit for public housing, you may lose your public housing lease. Section 8 vouchers are more flexible — you can keep your voucher even if your income rises above the original limit, though your rent contribution will increase.

Maintenance requests and lease issues

If you live in a Nashua Housing Authority public housing unit and need a repair — a leaking faucet, broken window, heating problem, or pest issue — contact the Authority's maintenance department. You can call the main office or submit a work order in person. Describe the problem clearly and mention if it is a safety issue like no heat in winter or a gas leak, which should be treated as urgent.

The Authority is required to make repairs within a reasonable timeframe. For non-emergency repairs, this is typically 14 to 30 days depending on the issue. For emergencies like no heat or water, the Authority must respond more quickly. If a repair is not made in a reasonable time, you can contact a local legal aid organization or housing rights group for guidance on your options.

If you have a lease question — about your rent calculation, a lease violation notice, or a dispute with the Authority — you can request a meeting with a manager at the office. You have the right to a hearing if the Authority wants to evict you or terminate your lease.

Contact information and office hours

The Nashua Housing Authority office is located at 10 Prospect Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060. The phone number is (603) 883-0606. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though you should call ahead to confirm current hours or to ask about process intake before visiting.

You can visit in person to explore, ask questions about the waitlist, report a maintenance issue, or discuss your lease. If you cannot visit during office hours, ask whether the Authority accepts phone applications or mail-in applications for initial inquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waitlist for public housing in Nashua?

Waitlist length varies and changes over time. Call the Nashua Housing Authority at (603) 883-0606 to ask the current wait time for your household size. Some housing authorities publish this information on their website, so you can also check online before calling.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher to rent anywhere in Nashua?

You can rent from any landlord in the Nashua area who agrees to participate in the Section 8 program. Not all landlords accept vouchers. The Authority can provide a list of participating landlords, or you can find your own unit and ask the landlord if they will accept a voucher.

What happens to my rent if my income increases?

Your rent is recalculated at your annual lease renewal based on your reported income. If your income has increased, your rent contribution will increase. You are required to report income changes to the Authority, even if they are not discovered during recertification.

Can I be evicted from public housing?

Yes, the Authority can evict you for lease violations such as non-payment of rent, criminal activity, or damage to the unit. You have the right to a hearing before eviction. If you receive an eviction notice, contact the Authority when ready to discuss your situation or seek help from a local legal aid organization.

Do I have to pay utilities in Nashua Housing Authority apartments?

It depends on the building. Some units include utilities in the rent; others do not. Ask the Authority when you explore or tour a unit which utilities are included. If utilities are not included, you pay the utility company directly.