Each year, KH’s voucher programs help almost 1,000 low and moderate income households rent safe, affordable apartments throughout the Monadnock Region. Through our eligibility guidelines, income and household status is used to determine the type and level of subsidy provided by KH.

KH maintains a Moving to Work (MTW) Administrative Plan for its MTW Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. It explains the policies through which the agency administers the program. The plan is approved by the Board of Commissioners and reviewed annually.

What Will I Pay?

Typically, voucher holders pay 20% to 40% of their monthly income to their landlord, with the remainder of the rent covered by KH. KH encourages voucher holders to understand the program they’re in and their rights as renters.

KH strives to find better ways to run our programs, making it easier for voucher holders to find and maintain safe, high quality affordable housing. In addition to helping voucher holders find and keep affordable housing, KH operates a variety of programs beyond housing. Explore the Programs & Services section of our website to learn more about the resources available to voucher holders.

Our Special Voucher Programs

The Mainstream-5 HCV program provides Tenant-Based housing assistance to very low-income non-elderly persons with disabilities (under age 62). The program was developed to provide rental assistance to persons with disabilities who are seeking suitable, affordable, and accessible housing in the private market. The Head, Spouse, or Co-head may qualify the household for the Mainstream-5 Program.

The MS-5 Mainstream program is administered under KH’s MTW Administrative Plan policies.

The 2017 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program provides Tenant-Based housing assistance to very low-income households with a person with disabilities who are seeking suitable, affordable, and accessible housing in the private market. Unlike the Mainstream-5 program, any member of the household who is at least 18 years old and not older than 61 may qualify the household for the 2017 Mainstream Voucher Program.

The 2017 Mainstream program is administered under KH’s MTW Administrative Plan policies.

The Non-elderly Disabled (NED) Housing Choice Voucher Program enables non-elderly disabled families to lease affordable private housing of their choice. NED vouchers also assist persons with disabilities who often face difficulties in locating suitable and accessible housing on the private market.

Only income-eligible families whose head of household, spouse, or co-head is non-elderly (age less than 62) and disabled may receive a NED voucher. Families with only a minor child with a disability are not eligible.

The NED program is administered under KH’s MTW Administrative Plan policies.

The Foster Youth to Independence Tenant Protection Voucher Program provides Tenant-Based housing assistance to youth who are transitioning out of foster care seeking suitable, affordable, and accessible housing in the private market. The population eligible to be assisted with FYI TPV funding are youth certified by a public child welfare agency between 18 and 24 years old that left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days (in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act at age sixteen (16) or older) and is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless.

Foster Youth to Independence Tenant Protection Voucher Program is administered under KH’s MTW Administrative Plan policies.

The Heading for Home (H4H) Program offers eligible participants in the Moving to Work HCV or PBV programs the option of buying a home with mortgage payment assistance.

All Heading for Home (H4H) applicants must complete an application and meet all eligibility requirements whether they are currently assisted by KH or not.

Participants receiving housing assistance through the MTW HCV program or any of KH owned and managed properties must fulfill their initial lease term with KH or their owner/property manager and meet all initial eligibility requirements before a H4H voucher will be issued.

You can find more information about the H4H program, including eligibility requirements, in our MTW Administrative Plan policies.

The Pathway Home Program is a Moving to Work (MTW) initiative that provides housing assistance to participants in Treatment Court and Behavioral Health Court who meet program eligibility criteria. The program operates on a referral basis.

Pathway Home started as a partnership between Keene Housing (KH) and the Cheshire County Treatment Court. Treatment Court serves as an alternative sentencing program for low-level drug offenders, offering participants structured goals and supportive services designed to significantly reduce the likelihood of recidivism. Pathway Home has expanded to include participants in Behavioral Health Courts.

A lack of stable, affordable housing can hinder participants’ ability to complete the program successfully. Pathway Home addresses this barrier by providing stable housing during program participation and offering a clear path to a Housing Choice Voucher upon successful completion.

The program aims to help participants transition from substance abuse and potential incarceration to steady employment, stable housing, and greater economic self-sufficiency. Participants who are not disabled are required to enroll in Keene Housing’s THRIVE Program, which equips households with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to achieve financial stability and, when possible, economic independence.

To participate in Pathway Home, individuals must be referred by their Case Manager from Treatment Court or Behavioral Health Court, who will determine if a referral is appropriate. Eligible applicants must:

  • Meet income eligibility requirements
  • Adhere to Treatment Court or Behavioral Health Court requirements
  • Meet additional program-specific criteria

The Homes for School (H4S) Program is a Moving to Work (MTW) initiative that provides housing assistance to families experiencing homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act, and identified by the Keene and Monadnock School Districts. The program operates on a referral basis.

Keene Housing currently partners with three elementary schools—Franklin and Symonds in the Keene School District, and Mount Caesar in the Monadnock School District.

Modeled on the Housing First approach, the H4S Program is founded on the belief that stable housing enables better academic outcomes for elementary school students experiencing homelessness. The program provides participating households with deep housing subsidies, housing search assistance, and stabilization services.

After two years of successful participation, households are offered a Moving to Work (MTW) Housing Choice Voucher, supporting long-term housing stability.

To participate in Homes for School, reach out to your child’s school Counselor to determine if you qualify for assistance. Please click here for links to Symonds, Franklin, and Mt Caesar school contacts for this program. Eligible households will meet the following requirements:

  • Be identified as an unhoused family defined by the McKenney-Vento Act in a partnering school.
  • Be income eligible
  • Not owe any money to Keene Housing
  • Commit to certain program conditions such as regular school attendance and parental involvement
  • Additional criteria specific to the program

Helpful Links

Keene Housing encourages our HCV participants to understand their program and their rights as a renter in the private market. The following links provide helpful information to participants.

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