Essex County, NJ Emergency Rental Assistance
Introduction: Are you behind on rent?
The Camden County Rental Assistance Program currently provides up to 12 months of back rent and utilities (limited at Fair Market Rent). While tenants must apply to participate in the initiative, landlords and utility companies will receive money immediately.
Please review the following guidelines. Tenants must meet the following criteria and conditions in order to qualify for the Rental Assistance Program:
- Tenants are not permitted to earn more than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI);
- Tenant qualifies for unemployment benefits or has experienced a decrease in household income, considerable costs, or financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.
- Tenant demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, e.g. past due notifications, eviction notices, etc.
- Applicants will be asked to demonstrate that they have lost or reduced their employment or income;
- No duplication of money will be tolerated — apartments/landlords that receive funding from the State’s tenant assistance program, Section 8, or months covered by a previous program would be ineligible.
- Landlords must agree to forego any late fees or penalties incurred between March 2020 and the current date; and
- Priority will be given to households earning less than 50% of the area median income or who are currently unemployed.
Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis and will be accepted until all available monies have been distributed.
Updated Income limits for 2020:
1-person, $54,150
2-person, $61,850
3-person, $69,600
4-person, $77,300
5-person, $83,500
6-person, $89,700
Updated Income limits for 2021:
1-person, $52,950
2-person, $60,500
3-person, $68,050
4-person, $75,600
5-person, $81,650
6-person, $87,700
Fair Market Rents: 2020
Efficiency : $864
1 BDRM :$1,013
2 BDRM: $1,226
3 BDRM: $1,528
4 BDRM: $1,754
Fair Market Rents: 2021
Efficiency : $900
1 BDRM :$1,040
2 BDRM: $1,260
3 BDRM: $1,567
4 BDRM: $1,796
How to Apply:
If you have any problems completing the application or have general concerns about the Camden County RECOVERS Rental Assistance Grant, please call 856-389-6704 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Assistance with Applications
During normal business hours, assistance with completing your Rental Assistance Grant application is available at all Camden County Libraries.
The application deadline is October 30, 2021.
What documents do you need?
To be eligible for the Camden County Recovers program, you must be able to show income loss due to COVID-19, be facing eviction, and earn less than 80% of Camden County’s Area Medium Income. The documents listed below are samples of those that may be used to establish eligibility.
Proof of income loss as a result of Covid-19:
- Employer notification of termination or reduction of hours due to completion of Covid-19 unemployment documentation
- Evidence of imminent eviction:
- Notice of landlord’s eviction
- Notice of delinquent rent
- A copy of your most recent completed lease agreement
Proof that you earn less than 80% of the area median income in Camden County:
- Copies of all occupants’ 2020 tax returns
- Salary stubs
- Social Security records
- Payments of child support
- Payments of alimony
- Additional sources of revenue.
Supplementary documentation:
- Identification with a photograph (driver’s license, passport, permanent residency card, or other government-issued identification).
- Utilities that are past due are not included in the rent.
Downloads
English Language Flyer
Spanish Language Flyer
Priority will be given to applicants who earn less than 50% of the Camden County Area Median Income (AMI) and have been unemployed for at least 90 days previous to applying. Applications will be processed every two weeks. Applications from individuals under 50% AMI and unemployed for 90 days or more will be processed immediately. All other applications will be held for two weeks and then processed in the order received. This cycle will repeat until all rental assistance payments have been disbursed.