The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will be accepting pre-applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. until Friday, July 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) will provide temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may be eligible for a maximum of up to six months of emergency rental assistance. The assistance will be capped at DCA’s fair market rent standard or the total of the rent, whichever is lesser. All participants will be reviewed at the three-month interval to see if they are still in need of assistance. Persons applying must meet all applicable CVERAP income and eligibility requirements.  You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Only one (1) pre-application per household will be accepted. DCA will extend reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals, and persons who have limited English proficiency on a case-by-case basis and will take into consideration the disability and the need(s) of the individual(s) or those households without internet access. Applicants can call DCA’s Applicant Service Unit at 609-292-4080, Option 1 or 8, to request an accommodation.

All participants will be selected through an online lottery process.  Participants do not have to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.

Anyone selected for the program must meet the following requirements:

· Have a gross, annual household income that is at or below the maximum income limits for the county where they will be residing

· Be a New Jersey resident and have a valid lease for a unit in New Jersey signed by the landlord

· Rent must be current as of March 2020; this program will not assist with arrears

· Have a substantial reduction in income or be unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

· Lack of assets or savings to pay rent

· Will pay a minimum of 30% of their income towards the rent

Applicants must have an email address to apply online at: https://www.waitlistcheck.com/NJ559-2809

Additional details are available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/cverap.html, which include information on the Maximum Income Limits and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for this program. 

During the Open Enrollment Period, persons who would require a reasonable accommodation, including persons with limited English proficiency or do not have internet access, can call 609-292-4080, Option 1 or 8 for assistance.