Portsmouth Housing Authority

General Info

Thank you for your interest in the Portsmouth Housing Authority. The Portsmouth Housing Authority (PHA) owns and operates over six-hundred rental apartments spread across twelve different properties in the City of Portsmouth. It also manages portable Housing Choice Vouchers (also known as Section 8 vouchers). For more information on our different properties, visit: www.porthousing.org/housing/properties.

We have a different waitlist for each housing type and bedroom size. You can only apply to one waitlist at a time. If you intend to apply to more than one waitlist, you will need to submit each individually and then start a new application. The system will save some of your information, so that you don't need to reenter all of your information again.

NOTICE REGARDING PHA WAITLISTS

Dear Community Members,

Due to the high demand and limited availability of affordable housing units, we are closing the following waiting lists effective 9/15/2024:

• Atlantic Heights
• Connors Cottage
• Lafayette School
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

This means that we will not accept any new applications for these housing programs and/or properties until further notice. If you have already submitted an application for these programs prior to the effective date, you will remain on the waiting list, and we will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available that matches your preferences and eligibility, in accordance with our tenant selection plans. However, we cannot guarantee when this will happen, as the waiting time may vary depending on unit turnover rates and availability of vouchers.

We understand that this decision may cause hardship and frustration for those who are in need of safe and affordable housing. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to manage our current resources and serve our existing clients and applicants as best as we can.

Our remaining housing waitlists will remain the same as of the date of this notice. If you have any questions or concerns about your application status or the waiting list closure, please contact us at 603-436-4310 or email us at applications@nh-pha.com.  You can also visit our website at www.porthousing.org for more information.

We thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

Cathy Gallagher
HCV/PH Program Manager

How to Complete Your Online Application

1. Click the "Get Started" button at the bottom of this page.
2. You will need to Register for a Waitlistcheck account, if you don't already have one.
3. Follow the prompts. You must reach the end and hit "Submit" for your application to be complete and for our office to process it. You can save and exit your application and return to it by logging in to your Waitlistcheck account, but it will not be complete until you hit "Submit."
4. Once you’ve hit “submit” and receive a confirmation page, that means our office has received your application. We will contact you by mail in the following weeks with the eligibility determination and whether you’ve been placed on the waitlist.
   
   

Questions?

• To view applicant Frequently Asked Questions, visit: https://porthousing.org/applicants#apply.
• If you still have questions, you can email applications@nh-pha.com or call our office at 603-436-4310.

Our Waiting Lists

Below are the individual PHA waiting lists that you can apply to through this portal. 

1. Public Housing 0-Bedroom (Studio)
   Includes the following properties:
   -Woodbury Manor
   
   
2. Public Housing 1-Bedroom
   Includes the following properties:
   -Feaster
   -Gosling Meadows
   -Margeson
   -Pleasant Street
   -State Street
   -Woodbury Manor
   
   
3. Public Housing 2-Bedroom
   Includes the following properties:
   -Feaster
   -Gosling Meadows
   
   
4. Public Housing 3-Bedroom
   Includes the following properties:
   -Gosling Meadows
   
   
5. Public Housing 4-Bedroom
   Includes the following properties:
   -Gosling Meadows
   
   
6. Ruth Lewin Griffin Place (1 and 2-Bedrooms)
   
   
7. Wamesit Place 1-Bedroom
   
   
8. Wamesit Place 2-Bedroom
   
   
9. Wamesit Place 3-Bedroom

Betty's Dream is not listed here, as it has its own separate application. This property is reserved for physically handicapped individuals. If you or someone you know are physically handicapped and interested in applying to that waitlist, contact the Property Managers at wamesitadmin@nh-pha.com or 603-436-4310 ext. 112.

Eligibility Criteria

Each waiting list is equipped with individual preferences that allow certain applicants priority placement on the list. The head of household, co-head, or spouse must qualify for the preference in order for it to be applied.

Please note that not all waiting lists have the same preferences. In order for these preferences to be applied to your application, you will need to submit proof as outlined below after completing your online application. Proof may be submitted either by mail or in person to the Portsmouth Housing Authority at 245 Middle St, Portsmouth, NH 03801 OR by email to applications@nh-pha.com.

Preferences include:

1. Working in the city of Portsmouth preference (Ruth Lewin Griffin Place)
   Proof:  a copy of a recent paycheck stub.
   
   
2. Veteran and/or spouse of veteran preference (Ruth Lewin Griffin Place, Public Housing)
   Proof:  DD214, DD215, or DD217.
   
   
3. Local preference (Public Housing, Wamesit Place)
   Proof:  a copy of a rent receipt, lease, utility bill, employment record, driver’s license, etc. confirming that the applicant is a resident of Portsmouth.
   
   
4. Elderly(62+)/Disabled preference (Public Housing)
   Proof:  SSDI letter or letter from medical provider confirming disability / driver's license or birth certificate confirming date of birth.