Jersey City's Rent Relief Program Applications Open: What To Know

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Tuesday is the first day that applications open for Jersey City's latest round of rent relief applications. The program offers up to $10,000 in relief to applicants that qualify.

The program is funded by the more than $7 million Jersey City received from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds.

Landlords and social service case managers will have the ability to start an application for rent relief on behalf of a tenant. The rental assistance will be paid directly to the landlord or property manager. The city said it built this safeguard into the program to ensure that access to the program is broadened to those most in need.

Application Window

The online application period for the Jersey City COVID-19 Rent Relief Program will run from Tuesday through August 31, 2021. During this initial application period, the program is restricted to households that earn at or below 50 percent Area Median Income (AMI) and reside in owner-occupied buildings with four units or fewer.

Who is eligible?

The program will focus on families that live in owner-occupied buildings with fewer than five apartments and those who are at or below 50% of area median income. The program will also prioritize households where at least one member has been unemployed for the 90-day period preceding the date of application. If funds are still available, program eligibility will expand to include households with income up to 80% of area median income and those that reside in other types of buildings.

Eligibility requirements include the following:

• Jersey City residency
• Income loss due to COVID-19
• Rent owed since April 2020
• Income below 50% Area Median Income (AMI)
• 2-4 unit, owner-occupied buildings
• Incurred significant pandemic-induced cost or financial hardship

What are the restrictions/ Income limits?

Here is a breakdown of the maximum income per household that will be accepted in the program:

• 1 Person $36,250
• 2 Person $41,400
• 3 Person $46,600
• 4 Person $51,750
• 5 Person $55,900
• 6 Person $60,050
• 7 Person $64,200
• 8 Person $68,350

Where do I apply?

An online application portal is available here. For more information, residents can contact the program at (201) 706-4653 or rentrelief@jcha.us.