Pre-Applications Accepted Online from January 13 to January 31 for Veterans, Elderly, Families, Disabled, and Homeless

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today is pleased to announce the opening of the pre-application period to enter the lottery for placement onto the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) waiting list. Beginning on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (EST) and running through Friday, January 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (EST), New Jersey residents who meet eligibility criteria are invited to apply online at: www.WaitlistCheck.com/NJ559.

“Our department is dedicated to helping veterans, seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families find a safe, stable, and affordable home, in the communities they wish to live, by providing critical state rental assistance,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We are pleased to be able to open the waiting list to our State Rental Assistance Program so that more people can receive housing help in the near future.”

A total of 6,000 households will be selected through a computer-randomized lottery at the end of the pre-application period and placed on the State Rental Assistance Program waiting list. All applicants will have the same opportunity for being selected to join the waitlist during the lottery based on eligibility preferences. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, or an emancipated minor, and must be New Jersey residents to apply.

“The opening of the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) waiting list is planned to coincide with the date of the statewide point-in-time count of the homeless in New Jersey. Outreach workers are trained to assist people experiencing homelessness in applying for the waiting list,” said DCA Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources Janel Winter. “We encourage everyone in need of housing assistance to apply for the lottery and begin the New Year with renewed hope for the future.”

All eligible applicants will be entered into the lottery, with priority given to households that qualify for specific preferences. These preferences include:

·    Veteran Preference: U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and their surviving spouses, who meet the criteria of being discharged under honorable conditions, will be given the highest priority.

·    Homeless Preference: Individuals or families currently experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing domestic violence or other forms of abuse.

·    Disabled Preference: Households with a member who is receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits or has certification from a physician.

·    Elderly Preference: Head of household members aged 62 or older.

·    Local Residency Preference: Applicants residing or working in specified counties in New Jersey will receive preference.

The lottery process will be conducted at the close of the application period. Individuals selected from the lottery will be notified by email, and status can be checked online at www.waitlistcheck.com after February 14, 2025.

Applicants must meet certain income limits based on household size and county of residence. These limits are detailed below and available on the DCA website. For more information about income limits and other program details, please visit: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) | State Rental Assistance Program.

Pre-applications will only be accepted online. To apply, an email address is required. For a seamless experience, applicants are encouraged to use web browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer 10 or higher.

The Division of Housing and Community Resources, which administers the SRAP program, strengthens and revitalizes communities through the delivery of affordable housing, supportive services, and the provision of financial and technical assistance to communities, local government and community-based organizations.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including energy assistance, housing vouchers, affordable housing production, fire and building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery and mitigation. For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: