Official Site of The State of New Jersey

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For an ASL summary of the resources on this page, visit American Sign Language: Housing Assistance Part 1 - YouTubei

The State has several housing assistance programs, including eviction-prevention and temporary assistance to help pay for housing, utility bills, and more.  

The easiest place to start is to use the Department of Community Affairs’ online tool to check which programs you may be eligible for and to apply.  

 
Find Affordable Housing 

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) has an online tool that allows you to search thousands of affordable, subsidized, and market-rate units across New Jersey, including those with accessibility features. You can customize your search based on your specific needs, budget, and desired location.  

The tool is free, anonymous, and updated regularly. Use the tool online or call 1-877-428-8844. 

 

Property Tax Relief 

The Senior Freeze program reimburses eligible individuals with disabilities and seniors for property tax or mobile home park site fee increases on their principal residence.  

For more information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the Senior Freeze program page or call 1-800-882-6597 to speak with someone from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  

 

Additional Help 

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) provides a variety of programs to help prospective homebuyers, including first-time homebuyer and down payment assistance programs, among others. To learn more about their programs, visit the NJHMFA website or call 1-800-654-6873. 

The Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) is a nonprofit group that helps financially challenged homeowners navigate their budget problems and, whenever possible, helps them to avoid mortgage foreclosure. For more information, call 1-888-995-4673 or visit 995hope.org. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal agency that works to ensure access to safe, affordable housing and to support community development across the country. Established in 1965, HUD administers programs and provides funding that benefits low-income individuals, people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

HUD’s key programs include:

• Public Housing – Affordable rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers – Financial assistance to help individuals and families afford safe and decent housing in the private market.
• FHA-Insured Loans – Mortgage insurance programs that make homeownership more accessible, including for first-time buyers and those with limited credit.
• Homelessness Assistance – Supportive housing and services aimed at preventing and ending homelessness.
• Fair Housing Enforcement – Upholding laws that protect individuals from housing discrimination based on disability, race, gender, and other protected characteristics.
• Disaster Recovery Assistance – Programs that help communities recover from natural disasters and rebuild affordable housing options.

For more information, visit https://www.hud.gov/states/new-jersey#LocalOffice.

HUD Resource Locator: https://resources.hud.gov/

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Renters

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Homelessness Prevention Program

The Homelessness Prevention Program provides financial assistance to low and moderate income tenants in danger of eviction due to financial problems. You must have an eviction or foreclosure notice in order to be eligible for this program.

For more information or to apply, contact the Homelessness Prevention agency in your county.

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Emergency Assistance

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) benefits, you may be eligible for Emergency Assistance if you are facing an immediate risk of homelessness.

Benefits may include:

• Temporary rental assistance
• Back rent or mortgage payments
• Utility payments
• Transportation to search for housing
• Moving expenses
• Food and clothing
• Shelter
• Other emergency assistance

To request Emergency Assistance, contact your local County Board of Social Services.

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Community Action Agencies

Community Action Agencies offer a variety of programs to assist low-income families and individuals. Services may include:

• Rental assistance
• Housing rehabilitation
• Weatherization
• Relocation assistance
• Family self-sufficiency services

For more information or to apply, contact the Community Action Agency in your county.

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Eviction Information and Resources

If you are facing eviction, the NJ Eviction Guide interactive tool can help you understand where you are in the eviction process and connect you with DCA-funded resources available in your county.

For additional information about eviction prevention resources, visit the NJ Eviction Guide and DCA Office of Eviction Prevention.

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Know Your Rights as a Renter

In accordance with the Truth in Renting Act, renters and landlords have specific legal rights and responsibilities.

If you have questions about your legal rights as a renter, you can refer to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' Truth in Renting Guide for information about landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities.

 

Homeowners 

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) offers homeowners free counseling through its Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program (FMAP) to help homeowners avoid potential foreclosure. Find a list of local housing counselors here or call 1-800-NJ-HOUSE. 

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For an ASL summary of the resources on this page, visit 

American Sign Language: Housing Assistance Part 2 - YouTube

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Legal Aid 

Free legal assistance is available through Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ). You can get advice, referrals, and information by calling 1-888-576-5529 or by visiting LSNJLawHotline.org.

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Social Services for the Homeless/Homeless Hotline 

The Social Services for the Homeless program provides assistance to families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, but are not eligible for Work First NJ (usually because income is too high). The program provides emergency food, emergency shelter, and payment of security or utility deposits as well as back rent, mortgage and utility costs. These services also include referral services and limited case management. 

New Jersey residents experiencing homelessness can call 2-1-1 for help. NJ 2-1-1 will work in partnership with county agencies to ensure residents have a safe place to stay and get connected to resources.  

NJ 2-1-1 operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are accessible in different languages for non-English speakers. Information provided by callers will be kept confidential, except for information that must be shared with providers involved in providing shelter or shelter-related services. 

Call 2-1-1 for a list of agencies in your county or visit: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties/ 

For housing resources specific to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health issues, those who are blind or visually impaired, or who are in the addiction recovery process, you can also visit the Department of Human Services Housing page. 

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Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)

The Congregate Housing Services Program provides daily meals, housekeeping, and other personal assistance services to low-income older adults or adults with disabilities who reside in certain subsidized housing facilities that contract with the State. To learn more about this program and to determine whether your building participates in the program, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

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I Choose Home NJ

I Choose Home NJ, also known as Money Follows the Person, is a federal program that helps residents who are eligible for Medicaid and have been living in a nursing home for more than 60 days move back into the community. Individuals who transition back into the community receive supports and services that allow them to remain in their home. For more information about this program, call 1-855-466-3005 or contact the I Choose Home NJ Office using this form.

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Bringing Veterans Home

Bringing Veterans Home, a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, helps prevent and end homelessness among veterans by providing guidance on how to access safe, stable housing and connecting veterans with the services and supports they need.

What the Program Provides

Bringing Veterans Home helps connect veterans in need with supports that help them find and stay in stable housing. Veterans that are homeless are first connected with emergency shelter and other resources, while veterans who already have temporary shelter will receive help in finding permanent housing. Bringing Veterans Home coordinates with federal, state, and local housing programs across New Jersey to help veterans access helpful resources, such as rental assistance programs and mental health services. The Housing Navigation services team will also help veterans search for housing, work with landlords, and handle paperwork needed to secure a new home. 

Learn More

To learn more about the program and available resources, visit the Bringing Veterans Home website. You can use the “Make a Referral” section of the website to refer yourself or another veteran for services.