The HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM (HPP) is a grant program we administer under the direction of our friends at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Housing Unit.

 

The purpose is to provide temporary assistance to households who are being  evicted  due to a short-term loss of income. Applications must be completed by appointment only at the office in Oxford. You may complete the preliminary screening form on our website but applications are only completed face to face by appointment.

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Acceptable reasons for a temporary loss of income include

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• Temporary lay off

• Medical emergency/disability

• A substantial and permanent change in household composition

• Large, unexpected expense (major car repair payment)

 

Other reasons to document homelessness

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• Domestic Violence (need a restraining order or letter from a Domestic Violence Agency)

• Natural disaster (need letter from Red Cross)

• Fire (need letter from Red Cross and/or Fire Marshall)

• A substantial and permanent change in household composition

         ** Any other reason must be approved by DCA

 

Eligibility Requirements

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• Summons or warrant of removal from landlord-tenant court

• Court papers must have a docket number and a court date and must be no more than 6 months old.

• Current gross income at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income

• Resided in the housing unit for incurring arrears

• Ability to pay monthly housing costs after receiving assistance

• Legally in the United States

• New Jersey resident (someone whose primary residence is in New Jersey)

 

Homelessness Prevention Program INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

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• Applicants receiving a housing subsidy (on a rental assistance program)

• Applicants being released from prison/jail

• Applicants on TANF and SSI (should be referred to their County Board of Social Services for assistance)

 

Level of Assistance

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• Rental Arrears — Maximum is three months back rent plus reasonable court fees, legal fees, and other late fees included as rent in a written lease.

• Relocation (applicant is homeless): Security deposit of up to 1 1/2 months rent and one forward month's rent.

• The applicant cannot be assisted with both back rent and relocation to a new unit.

• Security Deposit Only: permanently disabled or veteran household who just obtained a Section 8 or VASH voucher.

• HPP was designed as a "one-time assistance program." Family Promise of Warren County staff must contact DCA before determining eligibility to see if the household was assisted before with HPP funds.

• Households who have entered into a repayment agreement are ineligible for receiving funds for arrears — they may only receive a security deposit and the first month's rent

• Households receiving any type of rental assistance are ineligible

• Mortgage costs or other expenses needed by homeowners for fees, taxes, or other costs of refinancing a mortgage are ineligible

• Cannot provide assistance with both arrears and relocation assistance to

             a new unit

 

Applications are completed in person at the office by appointment only.

 

Common Documentation Necessary for Application Processing Includes:

 

The following list is not all inclusive.  Additional documents may be required.

 

All verifications must be in writing.  Third-party verifications from involved agencies and programs are encouraged to document client homelessness, income, and significant supporting information to ensure successful application processing.  Proof of the significant occurrence and expenses that led to homelessness or imminent homelessness must be provided and extraordinary expenses must be verified with paid receipts NOT bills.

 

NJ Residency

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• Residency of 6 months in the State of NJ, at minimum, is required per grantor requirements.

 

Income Verification

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• Recent pay stubs (4 weekly or 2 bi-weekly pay stubs)

• Income Tax Returns for the last 2 years

• Letter from employer on business letterhead and signed by the employer verifying last 4 weekly pay periods

• Letter from employer on business letterhead and signed by the employer for projection of new employment income

• Disability award letter or comparable official verification

• Court-ordered child support verification – Not notarized letters or informal agreements

• Pension award letter/ copy of check/clearly identifiable bank verification of direct deposit

• TANF award letter/official documentation including CWA printout

• SS/SSI/SSD award letter or official SSA printout

• Unemployment/temporary disability printout/copy of benefit document depicting remaining balance

• All bank statements.

• DD 214 military separation papers if appropriate​

• NJ Photo ID for every adult in the household (at least one photo ID)

• Current photo driver's license

• Current passport photo

• Current federal, state, county or city photo ID cards

• Social Security cards for everyone in the household

• Birth certificates for everyone in the household​

• For re-housing: A 12-month lease, at minimum, will be required and must be signed by the landlord any payment is issued to the landlord.

• Prevention applicant households must provide a copy of the lease

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Eviction Papers or Other Homelessness Documentation - Examples Include

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• Summons and complaint from Special Civil Part - landlord/tenant court - with a docket number and court date is required for ALL homeless prevention cases

• Warrant of Removal from the courts - if applicable

• Red Cross Referral (for natural disaster and fire victims)

• A domestic Violence restraining order

• Letter from a homeless shelter or transitional housing provider or emergency housing provider

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Landlord Documents

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• W-9

• Signed Family Promise voucher/invoice

• Signed

• Landlord proof of ownership - acceptable documents include

1. Recent Municipal or County property tax bill

2. Recent property settlement sheet

3. Recent Deed

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Documents detailing the reason for non-payment of rent/homelessness     

 

Examples of documentation may include:

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• Employment layoff notice to include last day of work

• Disability verification to include last day of work

• Medical expense documentation -

• Separation papers

• Automotive repair shop