HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Program

This program offers property tax relief to New Jersey residents who own or rent property in New Jersey as their main home and meet certain income limits. This year’s ANCHOR benefit is based on residency, income, and age from 2024.

The filing deadline is October 31, 2025.

If you receive an ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter and all of the information contained in the letter is correct, you do not have to file an application for the current benefit. 

ANCHOR benefits will be paid in the form of a direct deposit or check, not as credits to property tax bills.

It’s possible to check the status of your ANCHOR  application here: https://www1.state.nj.us/TYTR_Saver/jsp/common/HRInquiry.jsp 

Additional Resources:

• Program Homepage
• Online Application
• Printed Forms and Instructions

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

New Jersey and Hudson County offer relief to individuals and families experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched the second phase of its Coronavirus Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) to provide assistance for rental arrears and future rent.

This application is administered through the Hudson County Eviction Prevention Program.

CVERAP Phase II is currently closed to new applicants. Please apply here if you want to be considered for any future funding from the DCA.

SOCIAL SERVICES – HUDSON COUNTY

• Emergency Assistance (EA) is provided to WFNJ/TANF/ GA and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients on an as-needed basis. Assistance includes an emergency allowance for food, clothing, furniture, utility, storage, shelter placement, security deposit, and or back rent. Temporary rental assistance may be authorized in order to resolve imminent or actual homelessness.

To learn more, please visit here

• Social Services for the Homeless (SSH) is provided to those with other sources of income such as employment, child support, SSD etc. The funding is used to help families and individuals avert homelessness by providing short term non-recurring back rent, security deposit and utility assistance for those who have a demonstrated need. Families and individuals seeking SSH funding must apply and be found ineligible for other public assistance programs such as TANF/GA/SSI.

To learn more, please visit here

• Reunification funding is provided to (families and individuals) household members who are/ were Justice involved within the last 12 months. Reunification offers back rent, utility assistance, security deposit, and or short-term rental assistance for up to 4 months.

To learn more, please visit here

HOUSING

– North Hudson Community Action Corporation: May offer one-time rent to individuals or families; could also provide temporary shelter for those already kicked out of their homes

Address: 220 Passaic St. Passaic, NJ 07055

Phone: 201-201-0200

**Mentioned in the resources for food assistance but also offers housing**

– The Metropolitan Family Health Network: A medical clinic in the city of Jersey City which gives complete primary care to adults, children, and women

Address: 935 Garfield Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07304

Phone: 201-478-5827, 201-478-5831 or 201-478-5832

– Family Promise of Hudson County: Helps to end family homelessness

Address: PO Box 3701, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Phone: 201.448.1839

Email: familypromisehudsonco@gmail.com

– York Street Project: Provides innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate and promote the healing and independence of persons in need, especially women and their children

Address: 89 York St Jersey City, NJ 07301

Phone: 201.451.9838

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESCUE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESCUE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

New Jersey has launched the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA) administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to financially assist and counsel homeowners financially impacted by Covid-19.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020
• Own and occupy an eligible primary residence;
• Have an income below 150% of their Area Median Income (AMI).

To submit a pre-screening application, please visit here. For assistance, please call 855-647-7700
 

APPLICATION DETAILS

New Jersey’s Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program provides financial assistance for eligible homeowners who have experienced a significant decrease in income or increase in expenses due to COVID-19 and have been unable to remain current with their mortgage payments.

See below for New Jersey’s Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance application steps.

1. ​Pass the pre-screening, and apply here.
2. Create your account here.
3. Complete the online application and provide documents, documents needed here.
4. Sign and submit your application.
5. Wait to receive application updates on your account dashboard.

To learn more, please visit here
 

NJHMFA will work to accommodate homeowners with disabilities as well as to assist applicants with limited English proficiency.  The application portal is available in many languages. Applicants seeking accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700 for assistance.

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING COUNSELING FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS

COUNTY AND STATE ASSISTANCE

Hudson County Housing Resource Center provides rental housing counseling including one-on-one sessions to help you find a unit, review a lease agreement, learn general information relating to your tenant rights and responsibilities, and develop a healthy budget here.

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE to low-income people in New Jersey. LSNJ coordinates the statewide Legal Services system, which provides free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems. Through its work, LSNJ strives to secure substantive and procedural justice for those living in poverty here.

THE WATERFRONT PROJECT 

Discover The Waterfront Project, Inc. – 551-256-7578

Housing Counseling 

As a participating agency of the HUD-certified housing counseling program, WFP has trained staff who provide free information, guidance, and referrals to renters in Hudson County in connection with housing-related matters. If you’re experiencing issues with your apartment, landlord, or roommate, we can help.

Pro Bono Legal Services

WFP’s staff and volunteer attorneys provide advice, guidance and representation in connection with a variety of civil legal matters. If you have questions about a housing issue, family law issue, public benefits, or other consumer issues, please call to speak to our staff attorney.

Wills and Living Wills For Seniors 

WFP has a unique program for low and moderate-income seniors in Hudson County. Working with the County Surrogate’s Office, attorneys travel to senior centers throughout the County providing education and free legal representation in connection with the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives.

Financial Capability Counseling 

The Waterfront Project, Inc. is now offering Financial Capability Counseling and Coaching. Our goal is to continue to empower individuals with financial education and coaching. These services ​are designed to provide advice and skills to overcome financial challenges and achieve housing and other personal financial goals. The session(s) will include financial goal setting, credit report review, as well as creating a budget.

Foreclosure Prevention Counseling 

The Waterfront Project, Inc. is now offering free Foreclosure Prevention Counseling. As a HUD Certified Counseling Agency, WFP will educate and inform you on different options available to you during your foreclosure process. WFP will work with you and your bank or mortgage servicers to help you retain your home and protect your equity.