Community Housing Program
The Program
The New Hampshire Community Housing Program (CHP) works to provide essential shelter and housing to qualifying individuals who are in imminent need. In order to remain successful in recovery and significantly decrease chances of recidivism, safe and reliable shelter is imperative.
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch (NHJB) in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections (DOC), the NH Department of Health and Human Services, and the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services aim to provide temporary housing support to individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) who are either re-entering the community after incarceration in the state correctional system or who are participating in the New Hampshire drug court program.
The need for safe living is greater than ever before. The NH Community Housing Program aims to establish contractual relationships with a variety of housing options in order to best serve the diverse level of needs in our state. These diverse needs are categorized by the NHCHP as follows:
- Immediate/Emergent (i.e. shelters)
- Temporary/Bridge Housing (i.e. transitional living homes, sobriety homes, and the like)
- Long-term Housing (i.e. apartments and other rental spaces)
- NH CHP Participant Application
- NHJB CHP Policy Manual
- CHP List of Previously Approved Landlords
- CHP Participant Application Process
- CHP List of Verified Recovery Residences
- CHP Request to Extend CHP Support Form
- CHP Emergency Housing Support Plan
- CHP/GUW-211 Emergency Housing (EH) Process
- CHP Request for Exceptional Circumstances Form
Program Participants
In order to apply for housing through the NHCHP, the applicant and their referring Criminal Justice Service Agent (the referring agent through State PPO or the NH Drug Court) would fill out the New Hampshire Community Housing Program (CHP) Application with the participant.
For each qualified applicant, an individualized housing and support plan will be made by the referring agent and the CHP Coordinator to outline the clear participant expectations and goals oriented towards finding and maintaining stable living. Some supportive services included in the plan but not limited to, are access to SUD treatment, behavioral health, and primary health care services as well as education on budgeting and responsible tenant skills and practices.
From the date of CHP acceptance until the end of program support, the participant will be expected to remain in regular communication with their Criminal Justice Service Agent (CJSA) in addition to meeting any other requirements set by their CJSA. These meetings aim to evaluate the progress of the housing plan as well as the need for further connections and supportive services in the area and the consumers long-term sustainable housing plan.
Housing Vendors
Participating housing providers will be compensated for rent, security deposits as last months rent, and essential utilities (i.e. water, heat, and electricity). The exact amount for reimbursement will be based off of fair market value at the time of contract agreement and monthly compensation will be dispersed to participating housing providers through the duration of the contact upon invoice request.
To become a participating housing provider or for further questions regarding the NH Community Housing Program, please contact the Community Housing Program Coordinator at kparent@courts.state.nh.us.