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Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

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Affordable Housing in New Jersey

Welcome to the New Jersey Money Follows the Person (MFP)/I Choose Home NJ Housing Resource page. New Jersey offers many resources to help you find safe, affordable, accessible, housing.

Most housing experts agree that a person should pay no more than 30% of their income towards housing. In New Jersey, housing assistance comes in many different forms, including subsidized and affordable housing. Subsidized housing is housing that has subsidies from federal, state or local government for low and moderate income individuals. The rent is often based on a person's income.

Affordable housing is housing that has lower rents such as through programs like NJ Low Income Housing Tax Credit program (see HMFA below). Some of these programs include senior or disabled housing such as Section 202 or 811, housing with project vouchers, public housing, tax credit projects, rural housing, and multifamily housing including Section 236 and Section 8 housing.

NJ also has voucher programs that provide a subsidy to help an individual pay towards rent in any apartment that meets the program's qualifications of being safe and affordable. There are many housing voucher programs including Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), VASH (veterans), NED (non-elderly-disabled), NED-2 (non-elderly disabled transitioning from an institution) and SRAP (state rental assistance program).

In New Jersey, subsidized and affordable housing and voucher programs may have a wait list. Ask if the wait list has preferences (for age, disability, etc.) to see if you may be placed higher on the list. Get on the list! - the sooner you apply, the sooner you will move to the top.

Due to high demand and low supply of affordable housing, it's extremely rare to find affordable housing with no waitlist. But it is possible to find housing assistance quickly if you know what to look for.

Tips to receive housing assistance quickly:

  • Apply to multiple waiting lists for different low-income rental assistance programs.

  • Take advantage of the mobility feature of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and apply for waiting lists anywhere in the United States.

  • Target waiting lists with preferences that you qualify for.

    Qualifying for preferences will give you priority placement on waiting lists.

  • Use Affordable Housing Online to get notifications of wait list openings sent directly to your email.

In Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), are required to employ or contract with a housing specialist to provide expertise and support in accessing affordable housing, navigating housing programs, and coordinating with other services. To reach your MCOs Housing Specialist, contact the Member Services hotline written on the back of your health insurance card.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)

The Housing Choice Voucher is a federal funded rental assistance program that provides subsidies to low income families and individuals. Waiting lists to apply for this program open infrequently by a random lottery process, and usually for a short time. An email address is necessary to apply for the lottery. If an applicant is selected they will go on a waitlist until such time their name is reached. To increase your odds consider applying to HCV programs operated by Public Housing Authorities in rural or small towns. Many of those areas have much shorter waitlists during have open enrollment.

State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP)

The New Jersey State Rental Assistance Program is a state funded program that provides housing subsidies to low income families. When the program has open enrollment you can apply through the random lottery process. Much like the HCV you must have an email address to apply. if you make the lottery, your name will remain on the waiting list until it is reached.

Project Based Voucher (PBV) The Project Based Voucher (PBV)

Component of the HCV whereas the voucher subsidy is attached to the unit within an eligible property.

Have the following documents readily available:

Most recent proof of income, valid I.D., birth certificate and social security card for all household members.

To get started, please review our Housing Search Quick Reference Guide . This explains in detail what you will need to do to begin your housing search, including gathering required documents and identifying people who can help you. View the Guide .

Affordable Housing Online

Department of Community Affairs Housing Assistance Programs

Department of Community Affairs Affordable Housing Developments by County

New Jersey Resource Center (NJHRC) Phone:1-877-428-8844

A housing unit locator with a wealth of information about specific housing opportunities, including bedroom size, rent, telephone number accessibility features, age restrictions and more. They also have connections to housing programs in your area as well as a list of landlords willing to work with housing programs.

New Jersey 211 Phone: 1-877-652-1148

This agency is a 24 hour referral service in NJ connecting residents with vital community services, including housing, food assistance, healthcare, and disaster support. It also serves as the state’s homeless hotline.

NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance (NJHMFA) Phone: 1-800-NJ-HOUSE or 1-609-278-7400

Mortgages and Housing Resources

New Jersey’s Aging and Disability Center (ADRC)

Doorway to information and assistance in all counties for elderly/disabled people.

New Jersey Helps

Department of Human Services connects you to various types of social service assistance.

Piazza & Associates Phone: 609-786-1100 x300

They are the connection to low income homes for rent. Since their inception in 1994, Piazza & Associates, Inc have been in the forefront in the administration, monitoring and compliance in New Jersey.

Community Grant Planning and Housing (CGP&H) Phone: 609-664-2769

An affordable housing administrative agent for more than 2,000 affordable housing units in 30 municipalities throughout the state of NJ.

Affordable Homes New Jersey

Public Housing Agency Contacts (US State Map)

New Jersey Public Housing Authorities

HUD Apartment Search for New Jersey

USDA Rural Multi-Family Housing in New Jersey


Last Updated: Tuesday, 06/10/25