How Rent is Set
Rents in public housing are set at 30% of adjusted gross household income minus the applicable utility allowance for your unit.
HUD requires that Public Housing Authorities offer families the choice of paying income-based rent (generally up to 30% of adjusted income) or a flat rate rent, which is based on the market rent charged for comparable units in the private unassisted rental market. Flat rate rents will not be affected by increases in income from employment or disability benefits, but may be higher than income-based rent. The opportunity to select the flat rent is available only at annual recertification.
Families who opt for the flat rent may request to have a reexamination and return to the income based method at any time for any of the following reasons:
- The family’s income has decreased.
- The family’s circumstances have changed increasing their expenses for childcare, medical care, etc.
- Other circumstances creating a hardship on the family such that the income method would be more financially feasible for the family.
Once a family returns to the income based method during their “lease year” they cannot go back to a flat rent until their next regular annual reexamination.
Flat Rents as of 7-1-23:
1 BR $1196.00
2 BR $1524.00
3 BR $1992.00
4 BR $2443.00
Annual and Interim Rent Recertification
In accordance with HUD regulations, all Public Housing families are recertified once a year. The purpose of this is to make certain the information NHA has about the family’s composition, income, and deductions are correct and to determine the rental portion to be paid to Newmarket Housing Authority.
To accomplish this, packets are sent to each family. The family must complete and return their packets to this office. If the family fails to comply and/or complete their annual recertification within the allotted time frame, they will be terminated from the program and evicted from their unit for non-compliance of federal regulations.
Once the family’s recertification is reviewed, calculated, and entered into the software system, the landlord and family will receive a letter which shows the family’s new rental portion.
Changes in Income
Tenants are required to report any change in my household’s income or family composition within 10 days of the change. Changes and required verifications must be received prior to the 20th of each month for a decrease on the first of the following month.
If anyone moves out of your household, you must report this change, in writing, within 10 days of the change. The family must obtain approval of any additional family member before the new member occupies the unit except for additions by birth, adoption, or court awarded custody, in which case the family must inform the Housing Authority in writing within 10 consecutive days. Such additions will not result in a change of bedroom size if the family size still conforms to the maximum occupancy guidelines for that unit. The subsidy size will be reevaluated at your next annual recertification. The Housing Authority will conduct determinations of eligibility for all additions to the household prior to giving approval.
If tenants do not report a change in household income or the people living in my household within 10 days, the Housing Authority will increase your rent retroactively or refuse to decrease my rent until the following full month, or the Housing Authority will begin eviction proceedings. Intentionally falsifying statements or information may constitute a crime and are grounds for eviction.
How to Report Income Changes
Income changes must be reported in writing to the Housing Authority. You can mail, fax (603-659-6501) or email (housing@newmarketha.org) the change and supporting documentation. Changes and required verifications must be received prior to the 20th of each month for a decrease on the first of the following month.
Problems Paying Rent
Rent is due by the 3rd of each month. After close of business day on the 3rd, tenants will be charged a late fee. If rent is not paid after late fee notification is sent, tenants will be served a Demand for Rent and Eviction Notice in accordance with NH State Laws.
If you need assistance with your rent, please refer to the following resources:
- The New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP) provides rent and utility assistance to eligible households who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find more information HERE - Newmarket Town Welfare
- Call 2-1-1 or visit 211NH.org