New Jersey Rental Assistance Programs.  Everyone wants safe and affordable housing. However, many low-income families in New Jersey struggle to pay their rent and, as a result, suffer from homelessness. The good news is that many governmental, charities and community organizations provide rental assistance and create housing solutions.  Many families cannot afford rent due to the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, it may be challenging to find the help they need. This article features a glimpse of some such organizations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
New Jersey Programs that Provide Rental Assistance
Homefront Inc.
In the battle against high rent, this organization has provided affordable housing. This agency has apartments to be used by families in transition. Each family’s monthly rent equals 30% of their gross income. This amount is saved until they leave. Then, the entire sum is used to provide a security deposit for a better permanent residence.
Its FreshStart program aims to provide all families with a permanent home. Through this program, the organization gives much-needed support to lower-income groups and the unemployed. By participating in the Rapid Re-Housing program, the organization allows families to rent payments on a sliding scale.
Website
Phone number: (609) 989-9417
Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey
The government’s Homeless Prevention Program provides short-term assistance to families evicted for a temporary loss of income. It provides a back rent for a maximum period of 3 months. This also includes legal fees, court fees, and other rental fees. Relocation is provided to homeless applicants with a security deposit covering rent up to 11/2 months, including one month’s rent in advance.
Under the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, this government branch offers temporary financial help to families for housing, case management, and other services to maintain housing.
The assistance is mainly aimed at helping households suffering from the immediate risk of homelessness. Further, the program also considers the families or individuals who live in emergency housing or on the streets. Help is provided in terms of security deposits, utility deposits, rental assistance, and moving cost assistance.
WebsiteÂ
Phone Number: ( 609) 292-6420
Department of Community Development, Paterson, New Jersey
This institution aims to improve residents’ quality of life by providing affordable housing policies and programs. It enhances the quality of the housing offered to low and middle-income groups. Its Emergency Shelter Grant provides help to homeless families and individuals needing immediate shelter. It distributes funds to emergency housing that gives shelter and the necessary services.
Website
Phone Number: (973) 321-1212
Coalition on Aids in Passaic County Inc.
It is a non-profit, community-based organization offering medical and non-medical case management for HIV/AIDS and other forms of sexually transmitted diseases. The institution provides temporary rental assistance through its Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA) program.
Under the same program, the HUD gives grants to non-profit organizations, States, and local communities, offering benefits to low-income individuals who survive with HIV/AIDS. It also gives security deposits, permanent housing, and an emergency shelter or emergency housing.
Besides this, housing assistance is provided regarding utility assistance concerning heat, water, and electricity. Transportation assistance, be it taxi vouchers or bus tickets for social service and medical appointments, is also provided. Nutritional assistance is also given through food vouchers through the local supermarkets.
Website:
Phone Number: (973) 742-6742
Greater Bergen Community Action – Bergen, New Jersey
The organization aims to reduce poverty by discovering and eliminating the causes of economic insecurity. The institution provides several housing programs. The Homelessness Prevention Program provides resources to help individuals and families before being evicted. Financial assistance is given in terms of partial or full rental payment. Advance rent deposits and security payments are also given to create opportunities for new housing.
Under the Program for Homeless Adolescents Seeking and Environment of Stability (PHASES) program, the institution supports youths between the ages of 16 and 21. It develops individual care plans for all the youth residents, concentrating on their family relationships, nutrition, health, education, employment, and financial literacy. The goal is to bring the youth back into society’s mainstream by making them capable, productive, and efficient members.
Website:
Phone Number: 201-968-0200
Burlington Community Action Partnership – Burlington, New Jersey
The organization wishes to reduce poverty by removing the causes. Under the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, this institution gives stabilization services and financial assistance to homeless individuals and families. The qualified applicants receive rental assistance, case management, assistance regarding finding affordable housing, credit repair counseling, and money management.
The organization also offers monetary help to residents who struggle to pay their rent, are homeless, face eviction regularly, and need rental assistance for a permanent housing solution. Under the Permanent Rental Housing Program, the organization gives five housing units as a part of the Temporary Assistance Program to Needy Families (TANF). The housing program also includes a couple of single-family homes, especially for homeless veteran families and poor working families with children.
Website:
Phone Number: (609) – 386 – 5800
Camden County Board of Social Services
The agency is committed to providing efficient, timely, and cost-effective services to Camden County residents under the Work First New Jersey program. It also offers short-term financial assistance through two sub-programs.
One of them is the General Assistance (GA) program. The other is the Temporary Assistance for the Needy Families (TANF) program.
The organization offers financial help to all eligible candidates as part of the TANF program. However, the financial assistance is limited to 5 years. The program even offers support services before and after employment. Non-parents with eligible children in their custody also receive support under this program.
The General Assistance program aims to help adults of 18 or more without any dependent children in their custody.
Website Â
Phone Number:Â (856) -225 – 8800
Housing Initiatives of Princeton
It is a non-profit organization that has been assisting families since 2004. The agency supports lower-income groups and working families in their efforts to survive and thrive.
Under the General Rental Assistance Program, the agency recognizes the low and moderate-income groups who struggle to gather the required funds to pay their rent or maintain permanent housing. In this context, the organization offers two forms of assistance.
Under the Security Deposit Assistance, the institution pays the security deposits for some individuals and families residing in the Princeton area, subject to certain eligibility fulfillments.
Under Eviction Prevention, also known as the Emergency Rental Payment assistance, the organization lends one-time assistance to deficient and low-income groups facing a monetary crisis or experiencing homelessness. In this case, the applicants also need to meet certain eligibility criteria.
Website
Phone Number (609) – 921 – 2328
Middlesex Housing and Community
For over 25 years, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders has funded different social service agencies in the county to help underserved communities.
The Middlesex County Housing Continuum of Care Committee is the principal vehicle for planning and coordinating the timely delivery of the required services to individuals and families with low incomes and those without housing.
Likewise, the division supervises three housing programs sponsored by the USA’s Department of Housing and Urban Development. Home Investment Partnerships, Community Development Block Grants, and Rental Assistance (Section 8) are the three programs.
All three programs attempt to provide benefits to lower-income individuals and households. The programs are designed to help families with rental assistance. The agency also provides affordable housing solutions as well as other necessary services.
Website:
Phone Number (732)–745–3025
Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation
The organization offers housing counseling and rental assistance through HPP and HPRP grants. All individuals and families in Bayonne County who are facing or might face homelessness can claim housing assistance.
Under the Rapid Re-Housing and Homelessness Prevention program, the institution offers short-term assistance to homeless people or survivors in emergency shelters. In addition, the organization also ensures that no one experiences discrimination for drug dependency, mental illness, or physical disability.
Website
Phone Number (201) 437-7222
Additional New Jersey Rent Assistance Programs
Some programs are state-sponsored, while federal funding, non-profit organizations, or local initiatives might support others. Here are rental assistance programs that were available in New Jersey:
Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA)
Offers services that include affordable housing and housing-related financial counseling. They also assist families with utility and rental assistance.
- 3535 Route 66, Parkway 100, Building 4,
- Neptune Township, NJ 07753,
- (732) 389-2958
Bergen County CAP, Inc.
This Community Action Program helps lower-income residents achieve financial stability and may include housing and rental assistance programs among their offerings.
- 392 Main St,
- Hackensack, NJ 07601,
- (201) 968-0200.
Camden County OEO
The Office of Economic Opportunity in Camden County provides resources and services to economically disadvantaged individuals, including rental assistance, to help improve their circumstances. Â
- 538 Broadway,
- Camden, NJ 08103,
- (856) 964-6887.
Catholic Charities Helps with Rent Mortgage Payments
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc.
A faith-based nonprofit organization that provides various services, including housing, food, and emergency assistance, among other benefits.Â
- 1845 Haddon Ave,
- Camden, NJ 08103Â
- 856) 342-4100.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen
Like other Catholic Charities entities, it likely provides a range of social services, which may include housing and rental assistance.
- 929 State St, Perth
- Amboy, NJ 08861
- (732) 826-7711
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton
Another branch of the Catholic Charities organization offers various social services, potentially including rental assistance, clothing, food, individual and family counseling, etc.
- 383 West State Street,
- Trenton, NJ 08607-1423,
- 1-800-360-7711.
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Newark
Offers various services including but not limited to food pantries, emergency shelters, and potentially rental assistance.
- 590 N 7th St,
- Newark, NJ 07107 p
- (973) 596-410.
NJ Catholic Charities
They offer various services, including emergency financial assistance, food, family counseling, immigration assistance, and more.
- New Jersey Catholic Conference
- 149 North Warren Street
- Trenton, NJ 08608
- 609-989-1120
Community Action Groups that Help With Rent
Community Action Program of Essex County
These programs generally help low-income residents with services to improve their financial situations, including housing or rental assistance.
- 50 South Clinton St,
- East Orange, NJ,
- 973-395-8400
New Jersey Hudson County CAP, Inc.
Like other Community Action Programs, this organization in Hudson County likely assists low-income individuals and families, possibly including rental assistance.
Call for an appointment – 201-210-0200
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
This state agency provides various housing-related services and programs, including possibly rental assistance programs.
- Â 101 South Broad Street,
- Trenton NJ 08625
- 609-376-0802.
Tri-City Peoples Corporation
Provides various community-based services, ranging from housing and rental assistance to education and job training.
Please always consult directly with the organization or check its official website for the most accurate and updated information.
-
- 675 S 19th St,
- Newark, NJ 07103
- Â (973) 675-4484
City of Elizabeth Community Development & Social Services
This city department focuses on enhancing the living conditions of its residents. This might include housing programs, services for people experiencing homelessness, and rental assistance.
- Midgett Municipal Bldg.,
- 302 E. Colonial Ave.,
- Elizabeth City, NJ, 2790
County Board of Social Services, NJ
Typically, a county board of social services would offer various social services to residents, potentially including food assistance, medical assistance, and housing or rental aid.
- 200 Woolverton St,
- Trenton, NJ 08611,
- (609) 989-4320
Middlesex County Department of Housing and Social Services
A governmental agency focused on providing housing and related social services to residents of Middlesex County.
- 75 Bayard Street,
- New Brunswick, NJ 08901,
- 732-745-3000
Temporary Rental Assistance (TRA)
This state-funded program provides short-term rental assistance to eligible families.
- Â Elizabeth OfficeÂ
- 342 Westminster Ave
- Elizabeth, NJ 07207
- 908-965-2700
Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP)
A state-funded initiative, the HPP provides one-time assistance to households at risk of homelessness.
- 101 South Broad Street
- Trenton NJ 08625
- 609-376-0802
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Federally funded, this program provides rental subsidies to low-income families, older people, and people with disabilities to rent private housing. New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
- 101 South Broad Street
- PO Box 800
- Trenton, NJ 08625
- 609-292-6055
- Other NJ Programs that Assist with Rent Payments
State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP)
They offer rental assistance vouchers to low-income households, older people, and disabled people.
- 520 Market St,
- Camden, NJ 08102
-
(856) 614-3300
Emergency Assistance (EA)
Temporary assistance for needy families to avoid homelessness.
- 257 Cornelison Ave
- Jersey City, NJ 07302
- 201-420-3000
Housing Assistance and Recovery Program (HARP)
This program assists families involuntarily displaced.
(609) 292-3750
New Jersey SHARES
This non-profit organization assists individuals and families needing temporary help paying their energy, telephone, and water bills.
- 4 Walter E Foran Blvd STE 105,
- Flemington, NJ 08822
- (866) 657-4273
Family Promise
A non-profit that aids homeless families with shelter, meals, and support services.
- 71 Summit Ave.,
- Summit, NJ 07901
- (908) 273-1100
United Way
While best known for its broader community support, many local United Way branches offer emergency financial assistance, including rent.
Community Action Agencies
Local agencies provide various forms of assistance, including help with rent and utilities.
If you or someone you know needs rental assistance in New Jersey, it’s essential to contact these programs directly or local social service agencies. Program availability and funding might change, so always check for current information.
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