Update on Housing Relief Programs for Those Facing Economic Hardship as a Result of COVID-19

Updates on State of NJ and Mercer County housing relief protections for residents during the Pandemic.

State of NJ Updates

Governor Murphy announced financial institutions will provide mortgage and financial protections for New Jerseyans facing economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. Through November 15th, 2021, while foreclosure cases may proceed, you cannot be removed from your home as a result of those proceedings.  The New Jersey Judiciary is offering foreclosure mediation to those homeowners who are behind in their mortgage and are at risk of foreclosure. For more information visit New Jersey's COVID-19 website.

The Governor also signed Executive Order No. 249, which updates the moratorium on evictions established under Executive Order No. 106 (2020) to be aligned with legislation signed into law earlier (S-3691). The updated moratorium continues to protect residents most impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mercer County Rental Assistance Update

The Mercer County Department of Human Services, in conjunction with the Mercer County Board of Social Services, has re-opened the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to help landlords and tenants in Mercer County in need of financial assistance with unpaid rent or utility bills and future rent or utility bills due to the impact of COVID-19, homelessness, or housing instability. 

The program will provide assistance for up to 12 months of unpaid rent or utility bills as well as future rent and utility bills for renter households in Mercer County. 

Applications will be accepted starting August 1 until funds are expended.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Households must document that someone within the household qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in income, suffered major costs directly or indirectly due to COVID-19 that impacted the household, and demonstrated a risk of homelessness or housing instability.

Household income must be at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) with priority given to households at or below 30% AMI. Assistance is not guaranteed.

TO APPLY AND FIND MORE INFORMATION:

Visit: https://bit.ly/ERAPAPPLYII

Call: (609) 389-3575 M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TENANTS AND LANDLORDS ON BEHALF OF TENANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY at http://www.mercercounty.org/ERAP

Please click a flyer below to learn more or download. Flyers are presented in both English and Spanish!