Edison Announces New Rent And Mortgage Assistance Program

EDISON, NJ — Renters and homeowners in Edison who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will receive rent and mortgage assistance through a new program, the Township announced.

Edison Township has allocated $1,000,000 of its federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act Funds (CDBG-CV1 and CV3) towards the creation of an Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program.

The program will provide temporary assistance, for up to six months for housing costs in arrears, to low- and moderate-income households — those at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. This program is for those residents who have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This program not only benefits our renters and homeowners but just as important it helps our community including landlords and financial institutions,” Mayor Thomas Lankey said in a statement.

“It allows people to stay in their homes, allows the landlords to pay their taxes, and the banks to keep our residents employed. This will be a big lift to our entire Township.”

Applications for the program will be available beginning Monday, June 28. To obtain an application or for additional information, contact PRAB at HCU@PRAB.org or call 732-249-9700 Ext. 150.

Applications will also be available for download on the Edison Township municipal website, www.edisonnj.org.

PRAB’s Housing Coalition Unit, a non-profit social services agency, will receive and review all applications. The organization will also provide technical assistance to Township residents in completing the grant application.

Residents must be able to be document loss or reduction of income, demonstrate that the pandemic has impacted their annual income, and provide statements that their rent or mortgage payments are in arrears. This can include past-due notices, emails from the landlord (and/or agent), a rent ledger from the landlord, or other applicable documents.

The rental and mortgage assistance checks will be paid directly to the landlord, lender, or mortgage company.

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