Official Site of The State of New Jersey

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 am to 5:30 pm 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. 

 

Renters 

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. 

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 include temporary rental assistance, back rent or mortgage payments, utility payments, transportation to search for housing, moving expenses, food, clothing, shelter, and more.  

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

Community Action Agencies offer various programs to assist low-income families and individuals including rental assistance, housing rehabilitation, weatherization, relocation assistance, and family self-sufficiency. 

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

In accordance with the Truth in Renting Act, renters and landlords both have specific legal rights and responsibilities. If you have questions about your legal rights as a renter, you can refer to the Department of Community Affair’s Truth in Renting Guide.  

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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 utilities 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 accessible in different languages for non-English speakers. Information provided by the 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:  www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/ssh/ 

For housing resources specific to individuals with developmental disabilities, with mental health issues, 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.