Grant Opportunities

New Hampshire Housing has four grant opportunities available through the Housing Partnership Grant Program to assist groups and municipalities working to advance discussions about housing in the state as well as expand access to housing. The grants include the Incubator Grant, Impact Grant, Mini Grant, and a reimbursement grant through the Harvey Schwartz Housing Policy Education Fund.

Partnership Grants are intended to increase opportunities for housing education and improve advocacy efforts at the local and regional level that will lead to changes in municipal and state land use regulations, as well as other processes that encourage the creation of a diverse housing stock. These efforts should increase awareness of the relationship between an adequate/balanced housing supply and economic growth and stability. See descriptions below for details on each Partnership Grant including maximum award amounts, who is eligible to apply, matching requirements, and other helpful information to determine if your organization or program may benefit from these funds.

How to Apply:

These grant opportunities are competitive with limited funding and are offered by invitation only.

Any organization interested in applying should email grants@nhhousing.orgwith a brief summary of your organization and the intended use of funds. Please limit to 2-3 paragraphs. In your submission, use subject line: Request for Application, followed by the specific grant program you are interested in (example: Request for Application – Incubator Grant).

Your request email will be reviewed, and a response will be provided within two weeks. Requests for all Partnership Grants are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Partnership Grant Program Details:

This grant program has funds available for two types of organizations: established nonprofit economic/community development organizations that are going to create a new workforce housing education and advocacy program (maximum award of $50,000) or a start-up organization whose primary mission will be workforce housing education and advocacy (maximum award of $20,000).

Strong applicants will demonstrate a dedication to educating the public, including public officials, about housing needs and the relationship between housing and the regional economy. The application will require submission of a detailed Work Plan that shows how the organization/program will develop support for changes and actions to reduce community resistance to housing development, especially in relation to land use regulations. Organizations that include strong local partnerships and outreach initiatives will be prioritized.

Incubator grants are one-time-only grants with no matching funds required. Approved organizations will be expected to maintain the program, or start-up organization, for at least three years following the grant award and may be eligible for Impact Grants (see below) in future years based on review and assessment of the organization’s performance, subject to the availability of funds.

Grants of up to $40,000 are available to nonprofit economic/community development organizations that have an existing workforce housing education and advocacy program or established nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is workforce housing education and advocacy.

Strong applications will demonstrate a dedication to educating the public, including public officials, about housing needs and the relationship between housing and the regional economy. The application will require submission of a detailed Work Plan that shows how the organization/program will develop support for changes and actions to reduce community resistance to housing development, especially in relation to land use regulations. Organizations that include strong local partnerships and outreach initiatives will be prioritized.

Eligible organizations/programs must have been in operation for at least one year and dollar-for-dollar matching funds are required. Organizations can apply to receive an Impact Grant annually based on review and assessment of the organization’s performance, subject to the availability of funds.

Mini Grants are made in amounts of up to $5,000 and are available to a variety of groups that support housing education and advocacy efforts. Examples of eligible groups include local or regional business groups, economic development groups, ad hoc groups, business and community leaders, service organizations, nonprofit organizations, regional planning commissions, and local governments. Organizations engaged in housing development are not eligible for this funding. 

Funding from a mini grant can be used towards expenses related to:

  • Consultant led technical assistance to explore housing friendly land use regulations
  • Researching the feasibility of starting a local or regional housing advocacy initiative, which may include strategic planning efforts.
  • Hosting community engagement events and activities to further increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of housing’s important role in community development.
  • Developing informational and educational materials related to housing educations and advocacy.
  • Limited, locally focused research activities related to housing education and advocacy. (Mini grant funds may not be used for Master plans or general planning purposes).
  • Other innovative or unique methods of reducing community resistance to housing development.

No match is required for these funds; however, the availability of matching funds will be a consideration in the funding decisions. Organizations can apply to receive a Mini Grant annually based on review and assessment of the organization’s performance, subject to the availability of funds. Exceptions may be made for up to two grants per year based on strength of proposal.

The Harvey Schwartz Housing Policy Education Fund was created to honor a former NH Housing board member’s commitment to public affairs. Grants from this fund provide an opportunity for nonprofit employees and volunteers engaged in housing education and advocacy, as well as employees, appointed officials, and volunteers of county and municipal governments to access conferences related to housing policy issues. Attendees should have the goal of increasing housing policy knowledge to enhance hands-on advocacy work in their professional or volunteer role.

Through this Fund, organizations and municipalities are eligible to receive up to $3,000 for each person attending a qualified event or workshop. When considering this fund, please remember that these funds are limited. We reserve the right to limit the number of attendees per organization that are approved for a grant.

No matching funds are required for these awards. Requests for funds must be received a minimum of 30 days before attending an eligible event and, if approved, funds will be issued as a reimbursement following proof of eligible expenses in the form of receipts or invoices. Eligible expenses include event registration as well as lodging and transportation related to the event. Food or miscellaneous expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.

When sending your “Request for Application – Harvey Schwartz Fund” email, please include either an event flyer attachment or direct link to the event website. This will help expedite the review process to determine if your event is eligible for funding.