34 Free New Jersey Rent Assistance Programs

Looking for rent assistance in New Jersey? You’ve come to right place! New Jersey has many rent assistance programs and we have done the research for you. Keep reading for statewide and local resources (including phone numbers and websites!) organized for your convenience.

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Statewide New Jersey Rent Assistance Resources

New Jersey has multiple statewide rent assistance programs through their strong network of Salvation Armies, Family Promises, Catholic Charities, and Community Action Agencies.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a social service agency that is located nationwide. New Jersey has many locations that serve the whole state. Salvation army offers many services, usually including rent assistance or emergency financial assistance. Please note, each location offers different services and has different requirements, so please verify with the location that serves you.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities is a faith based social service agency located throughout America. New Jersey has eighteen Catholic Charities locations that serve most of the state. Among other services, most Catholic Charites offer emergency rent assistance. Since each location is different, please confirm with the office that serves you.

Family Promise

Family Promise is a network of agencies that offer homeless and homeless prevention services to families. There are twelve Family Promises in New Jersey and many of them offer rent assistance for families facing eviction. Please note, each location offers different services so please confirm with the location that serves you.

Community Action Partnership of New Jersey

Community Action Partnership (CAP) is a network of agencies that offer many supportive services, often including rent assistance. There twenty-two CAP agencies throughout New Jersey and each location often serves more than 1 county and/or city. Below the locations are listed by the main county or city they serve. For a full list of CAP agencies in New Jersey, please see this list.

Local New Jersey Rent Assistance Resources

Besides the multiple statewide resources, New Jersey has many local rent assistance resources as well. Most local rent assistance programs are operated by churches or smaller organizations. We have organized the resources by county for your convenience.

Atlantic County

Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development

Atlantic County’s government may offer emergency assistance to residents who are receiving TANF, SSI, or GA and facing homelessness. The emergency assistance can be used for rent and is limited to 12 months. For more information and to apply, please call 609-348-3001 Ext. 2818 or 2717.

Bergen County

Center for Food Action

Center for Food Action is an agency primarily focused on food distribution but started offering emergency rent assistance during the pandemic. Their website does not list their eligibility criteria, so please contact them at 201-569-1804 for more information.

Burlington County

Burlington County Board of Social Services

Burlington County Board of Social Services offers emergency rental assistance to residents who are receiving TANF, SSI, or GA. If you do not receive TANF, SSI, or GA, they can still assist you by referring you to other agencies. For more information and to apply, please call 609-518-4839.

God Squad Inc

God Squad Inc’s Homeless Prevention Program may offer rent assistance to those who have an eviction notice. Please note, all applicants must be employed and be able to show income for the last 2 months. For more information and to apply, please call 609-518-7082.

Camden County

City of Camden New Jersey (City of Camden)

The City of Camden government has emergency rental assistance funds for seniors and any resident who is experiencing a financial hardship. To qualify, you must be a city of Camden Resident, not receive TANF, GA, or SSI, and be able to provide documented proof of your financial hardship. For more information and to apply, please call 856-757-7096 or email [email protected] .

Senior Citizens United Community Services

Senior Citizens United Community Services offer many services to the seniors of Camden County. To apply for rental assistance, please call 856-456-1121.

Essex County

Down the Block (Millburn and Short Hills)

Down the Block is a nonprofit started by a group of neighbors who wanted to help their neighbors. Down the Block pools donations and funds emergency needs for residents of Millburn and Short Hills. To apply, please complete this online application.

East Orange Community Development Corporation

East Orange Community Development Corporation is a non-profit that serves residents of Orange and East Orange with rental assistance as well as other services. Please note, their website is limited and does not include eligibility criteria nor amount of assistance. For more information, please call 973-226-5315 or email at [email protected] .

Essex County Government

The Essex County Government offers emergency assistance to residents who receive WFNJ, TANF, GA and SSI. The emergency assistance can be used for rent including back rent. For more information and to apply, please call 973-395-8000 or email [email protected] .

St. James Social Services Corporation (City of Newark)

St. James Social Services Corporation offers many services to residents of Newark including rent assistance. They may offer assistance with past due rent as well as security deposits. For more information please call 973-624-4007 or email [email protected] .

Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corp (Township of Irvington)

Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corp serves residents of the Township of Irvington with multiple services including rent assistance for past due rent. To apply for rent assistance, you will need to provide many documents. Please see the list of documents needed here. For more information, please call 973-399-8111

Hudson County

Hudson County Office of Social Services

Hudson County’s Office of Social Services offers emergency assistance to residents who are receiving WFNJ, TANF, and GA. Not much is listed on their website about how to apply. For more information, please call 201-420-3000.

Mercer County

HomeFront

HomeFront is a nonprofit serving central New Jersey by providing resources to individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They offer rent assistance including back rent payments. For more information and to apply, please call 609-989-9417 Ext 101 or email [email protected] .

John O. Wilson Hamilton Neighborhood Center Inc.

The John O. Wilson Neighborhood Center serves residents of Hamilton and the surrounding areas and offers multiple services including rent assistance. To qualify for rent assistance, you must provide proof of income, ID, social security cards, your lease, and eviction notice. Additionally, your income must be under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To apply, please call 609-393-6480.

Arm in Arm

Arm in Arm may offer rent assistance to residents of Mercer County facing eviction. To qualify, your income must not exceed 2.5 times the federal poverty level and you must be able to prove you will be able to afford rent after the assistance is over. For more information and to apply, please call 609-393-9355 x11 Monday-Thursday between 9am-3:30pm.

Middlesex County

Puerto Rican Association for Human Development

The Puerto Rican Association for Human Development (PRAHD) manages City of Perth Amboy’s rental assistance funds and the Homeless Prevention Program for all of Middlesex County. For more information and to apply, please call their hotline at 732-638-2870 or complete the interest form on their website.

Monmouth County

Community Outreach Group

Community Outreach Group (COG) offers emergency assistance including rent assistance to residents of Aberdeen, Atlantic, Highlands, Belford, Cliffwood, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Leonardo, Lincroft, Matawan, Middletown, Port Monmouth, Red Bank, and Union Beach. To apply, you must print off the online form and drop it off at the Calico Cat Thrift Shoppe or Calico Cat Cupboard and Pantry. Please note, you will need to include a copy of our ID, pay stub, and lease along with your application.

Love Thy Neighbor

Love Thy Neighbor is a faith-based organization that offers emergency financial assistance. Please note, their website is does not specify eligibility and amount of assistance. For more information and to apply for assistance, please call 732-542-7012 Ext. 101.

Community Affairs & Resource Center

Community Affairs and Recourse Center (CARC) offers emergency rent assistance to residents who are at risk of homelessness. Please see their website for their income restrictions. To apply, please call 732-774-3282 and ask for Cheryl or Belinda.

Interfaith Neighbors

Interfaith Neighbors offers rent assistance to residents of Monmouth County. Please note, eligibility criteria is mentioned but not detailed so please call for more information. To apply for assistance you can complete this online form or you can call their office at 732-775-0525 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.

Project Paul (Bayshore Area)

Project Paul offers rent assistance to residents of the Bayshore area. For a complete list of the towns they serve, please see their website. To apply, complete this application AND call 732-787-4487 to make an appointment. Applications can be mailed In or dropped off at their location (211 Car Avenue, Keansburg NJ).

Morris County

Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance (OTA)

Morris County’s OTA may be able to provide rental assistance to individuals and families who are at risk of homelessness. They offer assistance with first month’s rent, back rent, and utilities. For assistance, please call 973-829-8264 Monday-Friday between 8:30-4:30pm.

Passaic County

Center for Family Resources

Center for Family Resources primarily offers childcare and parent education; however they also offer emergency rent assistance to residents of Upper Passaic County. Please note, their website mentions rules around eligibility but does not clarify. For more information, please call 973-962-0055.

Salem County

Salem County Board of Social Services

The Salem County Board of Social Services may provide rent assistance to residents facing homelessness. For more information and to apply, please call one of their Social Workers at 856-299-7200 and choose option 7.

Sussex County

Sussex County Division of Social Services

Sussex County Division of Social Services offers emergency rent assistance to residents at risk of homelessness. Emergency assistance is available to recipients of TANF, SSI, and GA. For more information please call, 973-383-3600.

Union County

Cranford Family Care (Cranford)

Cranford Family Care offers rent assistance for residents of Cranford. For more information and to apply, please call 908-276-3530 or email [email protected] .

Proceed Inc.

Proceed Inc offers many services including emergency rental assistance when funds are available. Please note, they only offer services to individuals and families who are currently employed. For more information, please call 908-351-7727 Ext. 235 or email [email protected] .

Plainfield Action Services

Plainfield Action Services (PSA) is a part of the City pf Plainfield’s division of social services and offers financial assistance to low-income residents when funds are available. All applicants must be able to provide proof of income, residence, and citizenship as well as social security cards for every household member. For more information, please call 908-753-3000.

Warren County

Warren County Government

The government of Warren County may provide emergency rent assistance to individuals or families who are at risk of becoming homeless. For more information, please call 908-475-6200.

Additional Resources

Although New Jersey has plenty of rent assistance resources, do not forgot that you are not limited to only New Jersey Resources. There are many nationwide resources available too! Check out our nationwide rent assistance resources here!

Marie McCollum

Marie McCollum has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Georgia. She is currently the Director of Programs for a non-profit in Decatur, Georgia.