FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 16, 2021

PASSAIC COUNTY LAUNCHES RENTAL ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE 

(Passaic County, New Jersey) – On April 20^th at 10:30 a.m., Passaic County will be hosting a press conference announcing the Impact Passaic Housing Security Initiative and Emergency Rental Assistance Program to aid Passaic County residents struggling to pay rent.

In the recently completed Passaic County Human Services needs assessment that surveyed over 2,600 county residents and stakeholders, housing security was identified as the top need. Affordable housing in the county has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has negatively affected many residents’ financial security.

Passaic County residents who have been struggling to pay their rent or may be facing eviction due to the coronavirus pandemic’s effects are encouraged to apply for the upcoming Impact Passaic Housing Security Initiative and Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program will provide rental arrears and temporary rental assistance to low and moderate-income households with a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comprehensive program will provide county residents with a variety of support services that impact housing security long term, like finding a job, getting behavioral health support, childcare, and financial coaching to name a few. Applicants may be eligible for up to a maximum of twelve months of emergency rental assistance to help pay for rent arrears and future rent to the extent that funds are available. The maximum amount of relief available for each application is $13,000. Applicants will need to demonstrate that their income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income limits and could not pay their rent due to COVID-19.

This grant program is not related to the current program being run by the state Department of Community Affairs. Passaic County expects to begin taking applications for the program at the end of April.