The NJDCA rental assistance programs are a great way for families experiencing financial hardship to receive much needed rental assistance to stay in their homes and avoid eviction during these unpredictable times. There are three programs that families experiencing this hardship may be eligible for.
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) & Eviction Prevention Program (EPP)
ERA 1
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✔Up to 15 Months of past due rents and future rents
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✔No caps on monthly assistance (with approved documentation)
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✔ Must be financially impacted by COVID-19
ERA 2
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✔Up to 18 Months of past due rents and future rents
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✔No caps on monthly assistance (with approved documentation)
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✔Must be financially impacted by COVID-19
EPP
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✔Up to 24 Months of past due rents and future rents*
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✔Monthly Assistance capped based on income *
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✔ Must be financially impacted by COVID-19
* For EPP, approved applicants may be responsible for contributing a minimum of 30% of their monthly income towards their monthly rental obligations.
* ERAP families can receive a maximum combination of 24 months of assistance (a combination of ERAP and EPP funding months not to exceed 24 months for Tier 1 and Tier2).
* Arrear payments are exclusively accessible to Tier III applicants. Please refer to the eligibility criteria chart below for more information.
Who Is Eligible?
Each program has some slight differences in eligibility requirements. Here are the basic eligibility requirements for each of the programs.
| Eligibility Criteria | ERA 1 | ERA 2 | EPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Resident | |||
| Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a significant reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 outbreak. |
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| Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. | |||
| Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median. | |||
| Have a household income between 5O percent and 120 percent of the area median. |
How Much Assistance Is Available?
The assistance available under each program is different. Whether you qualify for one or all, its important to understand the key differences. To look up the Area Median Income for your family, please click HERE.
| Eligibility Criteria | ERA 1 | ERA 2 | EPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income at or below 30% AMI | Up to 100% Rental Arrears Plus 3 Months Rental Stipend |
Up to 100% Rental Arrears Plus 3 Months Rental Stipend |
Up to 100% of Monthly Rent Minus 30% of Monthly Income (Minimum tenant responsibility). |
| Income greater than 30% and less than 80% AMI | Up to 100% Rental Arrears Plus 3 Months Rental Stipend |
Up to 100% Rental Arrears Plus 3 Months Rental Stipend |
Up to 100% of Monthly Rent Minus 30% of Monthly Income (Minimum tenant responsibility.) ($800 monthly Cap) |
| Income between 80% and 120% AMI | $0 | $0 | Up to 100% Rental Arrears (12-month cap) |
| Income above 120% AMI | $0 | $0 | $0 |
*ERA 1: There is a maximum of 15 months of assistance that can be provided per applicant household.
*ERA 2: There is a maximum of 18 months of assistance that can be provided per applicant household.
*EPP: For families below 80% AMI, there is a Maximum of 24 months of assistance that can be provided per applicant household. For families between 80% - 120% AM, there is a maximum of 12 months of assistance that can be provided per applicant household. * For EPP, approved applicants may be responsible for contributing a minimum of 30% of their monthly income towards their monthly rental obligations.
Note: Assistance received by the household from other emergency rental assistance programs are considered in determining total assistance. The NJDCA will not provide assistance for periods of assistance that have already been covered by another program.
ERAP families can receive a maximum combination of 24 months of assistance (a combination of ERAP and EPP funding months not to exceed 24 months for Tier 1 and Tier2).