Struggling To Pay Rent? This Essex County Program May Help

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County will begin accepting applications for its 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) beginning on Thursday.

According to county officials, there will be $15.4 million available. Renters or landlords who have been negatively impacted during the coronavirus pandemic and need help to pay rent or utility bills can apply for funds.

Online applications are available here.

Applications will be available beginning on Thursday, May 13. Awards will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, officials said.

Here are some additional details, according to county officials:

“Those eligible to apply include individuals or families impacted by COVID-19 through unemployment, decrease in household income or confronted with some other financial hardship. Tenants and landlords are eligible to apply; landlords would be applying on behalf of their tenants. To be eligible, the income of applicants must be at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) set by HUD. Information requested of the applicants will include identification for the head of household, income information for all those in the household who are older than 18, a copy of the lease, information about the landlord, and information about the rent and utility payments that are in arears (unpaid). Residents of Section 8 or public housing may be eligible to receive assistance for costs not covered by federal assistance and for the tenant’s portion of the rent or utility bills.”

The 2021 Essex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is being funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

“The pandemic created financially challenging and difficult times for individuals and families who experienced a loss of income or loss of employment,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Our Emergency Rental Assistance Program will help eligible residents and families catch up on their rent or utility arrears or pay their rent and/or utility bills prospectively,” DiVincenzo said. “This ultimately will prevent individuals and families from getting evicted from their housing and becoming homeless.”

• See related article: NJ Courts Prepare For Onslaught Of Coronavirus Eviction Cases

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