Health & Human Services Receives Extra End of Year Money for Homelessness Prevention Grant

Are you or someone you know in danger of losing a home? Act now. Bloomfield's Department of Health & Human Services may be able to help. 

The Health & Human Services Department was recently given additional money for a 2013 grant and are encouraging residents to contact their office this week.

To help Bloomfield’s residents who have fallen behind in rent, mortgage or utilities due to circumstances beyond their control, the township’s office of Bloomfield Health & Human Services Department prepared and submitted a grant request to the County of Essex for Social Services Homelessness Prevention funding.

Call 973-680-4017 to schedule an appointment or request additional information.

To qualify for the grant, residents must be able to prove sustainability going forward, which means they need to demonstrate they can pay their rent or mortgage following the one-time grant. For example, if a family was three months behind in rent after the head of the household lost a job, the family could receive assistance if they can show the mother or father received a new job.

Funding is limited and will be based upon meeting eligibility criteria and on a first-come basis.

Guidelines for Working Families

Must have a child[ren] under the age of 18 (19 if child is enrolled in full-time secondary education program)

Must be a working family

Family must be ineligible for public assistance programs (this does not include food stamps)

Family must be able to prove sustainability

Must be a legal alien/resident

Family income must be less than or equal to 250% of the Federal Poverty Index

All supporting documentation of proof of residency, employment, identification (all family members in the household), etc., must be attainable

Falling behind on their housing costs/utilities was due to a situation beyond their control and there must be foreclosure/eviction/shutoff or documentation that it about to happen

Guidelines for Single/Couples/Families without children 

Family must be ineligible for public assistance programs (this does not include food stamps)

Family must be able to prove sustainability

Must be a legal alien/resident

There are no income limits for this fund

All supporting documentation of proof of residency, employment, identification (all family members in the household), etc., must be attainable

Falling behind on their housing costs/utilities was due to a situation beyond their control and there must be foreclosure/eviction/shutoff or documentation that it is about to happen

To see if you qualify for these services or other assistance programs, you can contact the Bloomfield Health & Human Services Department for benefit screening.  

Call 973-680-4017 to schedule an appointment or request additional information.