NJ rent assistance: Who gets preference

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – New Jersey will begin accepting applications in January to join the waitlist for the state’s rent assistance program, which provides housing subsidies to low-income residents.

New Jersey residents will be able to apply to enter the lottery to join the State Rental Assistance Program waitlist starting Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. until Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. To apply online during the application period, click here.

The lottery will be conducted after the application period closes. In total, 6,000 households will be selected to join the waitlist for the State Rental Assistance Program.

Applicants selected through the lottery will be notified by email. People will also be able to check their application status online after Feb. 14.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet certain income limits based on their household size and the county they live in.

2024 NJ Rental Assistance Program income limits

County	1 Person	2 Person	3 Person	4 Person	5 Person	6 Person	7 Person	8 Person
Atlantic	27,450	31,375	35,300	40,100	44,765	49,405	54,045	58,710
Bergen	36,275	41,450	46,650	51,800	55,975	60,125	64,250	69,110
Burlington	32,125	36,725	41,325	45,875	49,575	54,255	59,245	64,235
Camden	32,125	36,725	41,325	45,875	49,575	54,255	59,245	64,235
Cape May	30,975	35,375	39,800	44,200	48,140	53,030	57,945	62,835
Cumberland	25,250	28,850	33,185	38,125	42,640	47,130	51,620	56,110
Essex	36,525	41,725	46,925	52,125	56,325	60,500	64,650	69,360
Gloucester	32,125	36,725	41,325	45,875	49,575	54,255	59,245	64,235
Hudson	37,500	42,850	48,200	53,525	57,850	62,125	66,400	70,675
Hunterdon	40,950	46,800	52,650	58,475	63,850	67,850	72,525	77,200
Mercer	35,275	40,300	45,350	50,350	54,400	58,425	62,720	67,910
Middlesex	40,950	46,800	52,650	58,475	63,175	67,850	72,525	77,200
Monmouth	36,600	41,825	47,050	52,250	56,450	60,625	64,825	69,460
Morris	36,525	41,725	46,925	52,125	56,325	60,500	64,650	69,360
Ocean	36,600	41,825	47,050	52,250	56,450	60,625	64,825	69,460
Passaic	36,275	41,450	46,650	51,800	55,975	60,125	64,250	69,110
Salem	32,125	36,725	41,325	45,875	49,575	54,255	59,245	64,235
Somerset	40,950	46,800	52,650	58,475	63,175	67,850	72,525	77,200
Sussex	36,525	41,725	46,925	52,125	56,325	60,500	64,650	69,360
Union	36,525	41,725	46,925	52,125	56,325	60,500	64,650	69,360
Warren	32,250	36,850	41,450	46,050	49,775	54,380	59,370	64,360

Who gets preference for the NJ rent assistance waitlist?

Priority will be given to qualified applicants who are veterans, homeless, disabled, 62 years or older, or who live and work in specified counties in New Jersey. Applicants who qualify for one or more of these preferences will have priority for placement on the waitlist.

• Veterans: Veterans of the U.S. armed forces and their surviving spouses will have the highest priority for the waiting list. A veteran must have been discharged from active duty under an honorable or general discharge. The surviving spouse of a veteran who died outside service is eligible for the same preference up until remarriage.
• Homeless: Individuals or families currently experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing domestic violence or other forms of abuse would qualify for this preference.
• Disabled: Households with a member who is receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits or has certification from a physician would qualify for this preference.
• Seniors: Head of household members aged 62 or older would qualify for this preference.
• Local residency: Applicants living or working in specified counties in New Jersey would qualify for this preference.

“Our department is dedicated to helping veterans, seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families find a safe, stable, and affordable home, in the communities they wish to live, by providing critical state rental assistance,” said Jacquelyn Suárez, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

For more information about the New Jersey State Rental Assistance Program, click here.