The deadline for New Jersey residents to apply for help paying their rent is Monday, July 25. The state Department of Community Affairs says 4,000 households in need will be selected through a lottery for rental assistance but more than 20 times that amount applied. DCA officials say as of Monday morning more than 80,000 renters submitted their applications to the waiting list, emphasizing the need for more affordable housing options in the state.
The State Rental Assistance Program helps very low-income families and individuals, which the state defines as those making less than 30% of the median family income for their county. In Mercer County, that’s roughly $47, 000 a year for a family of four.
The DCA says the awards will be made randomly, going to 1,000 people in each of four categories — elderly, family, homeless and disabled. Results will be available on or after August 15.
