All services and benefits are temporary in nature and are contingent on availability of funding.

 

Targets two populations:

​

• Individuals and families living on the streets or in emergency shelters (up to 90 days) obtain permanent housing; and

• Prevention assistance to households in imminent risk of homelessness due to an eviction because of no fault of their own.

 

Income:

​

• Maximum gross annual income 30% of AMI. Contact the agency directly for income guidelines at 908-453-2194.

 

Eligible Participants:

​

• New Jersey resident

• Gross household income totaling 30% or less of Area Median Income.

• Lack sufficient financial resources and support networks to identify immediate housing or remain in existing housing.

• Are currently homeless

• People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided(resided for up to 90 days), and were in shelter or a place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering that institution.

• At imminent risk of becoming homeless (have a summons or a warrant of removal).

• Legally in the United States (Current Permanent Residence Card; Certificate of Citizenship; Certificate of Naturalization; Alien Registration Receipt Card commonly known as a "green card”; Grant Letter from the Asylum Office of INS)

• Must have summons or warrant of removal

​

Eligible Activities:

​

• Possible Financial Assistance, funding permitting

• Security Deposit: up to 1 ½ months of rent. 

• Rental Assistance: up to 12 months.

• Rental Arrears: up to 3 months

• Utility Deposits: for electric, oil and gas

• Case Management: arrangement, coordination, monitoring, and delivery of services related to meeting the housing needs of program participants and helping them to obtain housing stability

 

Case management services include:

​

• Developing an individualized housing and self-sufficiency plan (including job search and career advancement).

• Identifying and obtaining services for program participants.

• Program participant must meet with a case manager to implement the plan and monitor progress towards housing stability.

• Housing Search and Placement:  assist program participants locate, secure, and retain suitable housing. 

• Credit repair, budgeting, and money management

• Payments may be made only to third parties, such as landlords or moving companies or utility companies NOT directly to program participants

• Properties owned by your agency, subsidiary or affiliated organization may not receive payments

• Termination of Housing Assistance

• Participant who violates program requirements such as not meeting set goals should be terminated.

• Written notice to the program participant containing a clear statement of the reasons for termination and their right to appeal decision to DCA.

 

HPRP funds may be used for:

​

• mortgage costs or costs associated with refinancing a mortgage

• construction or rehabilitation

• credit card bills or other consumer debt

• car repair or other transportation costs

• travel costs

• food

• medical or dental care and medicines

• clothing and grooming

• home furnishings

• child care

• education (i.e. books, fees, tuition)

• cash assistance to program participants

• discharge planning initiatives

• Hotel or motel stays

​

Common Documentation Necessary for Application Processing

​

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

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

• Income Verification

• 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

 

Eviction Papers or Other Homelessness Documentation - Examples Include

​

• 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

 

Landlord Documents

​

• W-9

• Signed Family Promise voucher/invoice

• Signed

• Landlord proof of ownership - acceptable documents include

• Recent Municipal or County property tax bill

• Recent property settlement sheet

• Recent Deed

 

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

    

• Examples of documentation may include:

• 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