The Essex County Division of Community Action's Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities program is funded by a grant received from the City of New ark through the United States Department 

of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 

 

The County's Housing program was developed to provide housing assistance and information services for income eligible persons with disabilities such as Human immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syn­ drome (HIV/AIDS) lo assist them with housing related and supportive services that will help maintain their housing and also prevent them from becoming homeless. 

 

The Essex County Housing program serves eligible individuals and families in all 22 municipalities within Essex County and the NEMSA (Newark Eligible Metropolitan Statis tical Area which also includes Union. Morris. Sus· sex. Warren Counties in Nwe Jersey and Pike County in Pennsylvania with temporary housing related assistance. These services include: 

 

  • Tenant Based Rental Assistance (Long-Term) (Housing Subsidy Program) 

 

Eligibility Requirements: 

 

The Client Services Manager determines an applicant's eligibility for the program and must meet the following criteria: 

  • Documented status HIV letter and lab Reports 

  • Documented income that does not exceed 30% of the median income for the area per household size 

  • State Photo Identification or Passport 

  • Birth Certificate 

  • Social Security Card 

  • Documentation for all eligible dependents in the household (Birth Certificate and SS Card) 

  • Documentation of the emergency need 

 

All documentation submitted for services will be assessed to determine eligibility and all participants will be notified in a timely manner if they are eligible for the services based on HUD regulations. 


Tenant Based Rental Assistance (long-Term) 

Providing monthly subsidized rent for eligible individuals or families for a twelve-month (one year) period not to exceed the five (5) year term limits for this program. Eligible participants will be required to recertify on a bi-annual basis. in addition to housing inspections as well as comply with annual housing plan in order to continue receiving their rental subsidy. 

 

Housing Information (Case Management) 

Participants will be case managed to ensure that appointments and referrals to essential services are being kept. Housing plans will be completed and will be followed up on periodically to make sure that participants are keeping up with basic housing needs such as rent payments. utilities payments medical appointments. and various income needs. etc. In addition. participants will receive basic housing information to help them with their needs such as the following: 

 

Landlord-Tenant Counseling: 

  • Counseling on the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in New Jersey. 

  • Provide Guidance on rent increases that are illegal and inform clients of proper steps to be taken. 

  • Provide guidance on building maintenance and code enforce­ment matters when landlords are derelict in addressing the health safety violations in apartments. including no heat and hot water complaints. 

  • Counseling on security deposit laws when landlords are re· questing large sums of money or gouging clients. In addition to guiding them to Small Claims Court to if landlord fails to return security deposits that are due back to the tenants and safeguard tenant's possessions after a lock-out. 

  • Provide direction for individuals who are illegally evicted from their apartment including a referral for legal advice. 

  • Counseling services are available to landlords that have individuals or families renting from them as they need to have an understanding of their tenants and confidential nature of the program. 

  • landlord-Tenant Workshops 


Referrals to Essential Services: 

  • Shelter Placement 

  • Furniture Assistance 

  • Food Pantry 

  • legal Services 

  • Financial Assistance (Social Security. Welfare. Job Fairs. etc.) 

 

Outreach Services: 

  • On-Site Outreach services can be provided to an agency to enroll eligible clients into the Housing program Network to receive various supportive services to help them obtain affordable housing and live a sustainable life.