Photo via The Jersey Journal.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Hudson County launched a rental assistance program to help tenants who have fallen behind on rent payments as a result of the pandemic.
This program was made possible with emergency funds provided by the federal government to help with the economic crisis that came with the pandemic.
In October 2022, Hudson County began accepting new applicants for the Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2) program. This is a continuation of the prior program, and the county is accepting new applicants until June 30, 2023.
Here is all you need to know about eligibility, and where to apply:
Click here for the application.
Eligibility (as per the application website):
1. Must be a Hudson County Resident with the exception of Jersey City. Jersey City residents must seek assistance through the City of Jersey City. The link below will direct you to the Jersey City Assistance Program.
Click here for the link.
2. Must show the need for rental or utility assistance is directly or indirectly due to COVID-19 Pandemic
3. Must have been current on rent as of March 12th 2020
4. Must show that one or more household member’s qualified for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardships due directly or indirectly to Coronavirus Pandemic.
5. For rental assistance, you must have received a summons for eviction, notice to quit from landlord or demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
6. Must provide the following documents: copy of lease or other documentation showing residence, income documentation, some form of ID, documentation showing past due utility, rent, or eviction notice
7. Annual Household Income must not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI), with priority given to household’s whose annual income is below 50%
| Household Size | 50% AMI | 50%-80% AMI |
| 1 Person | $34,550 or less |
$34,551-$55,250 |
| 2 People | $39,450 or less |
$39,451-$63,150 |
| 3 People | $44,400 or less |
$44,401-$71,050 |
| 4 People | $49,300 or less | $49,301-$78,900 |
| 5 People | $53,250 or less | $53,251-$85,250 |
| 6 People | $57,200 or less | $57,201-$91,550 |
|
7 People |
$61,150 or less | $61,151 – $97,850 |
| 8 People | $65,100 or less | $65,101 – $104,150 |
For both ERA 1 and 2, Hudson County has implemented prioritization for households that meet either of the following criteria:
1. The total income of the household does not exceed 50% of the area median income (AMI); OR
2. One or more of the individuals within the household are receiving unemployment as of the date of the application for assistance and have not been employed for the 90-day period preceding such date.
These qualifying criteria are tracked through unemployment records and total household income documentation. Applicants meeting either of these criteria are flagged through the online portal. Through the review process, social workers will first review the applications that are flagged as a high priority to ensure funding will first go to those most in need before serving other residents not meeting this prioritization criteria.
Outside of the prioritization process outlined, applications for assistance are reviewed and awarded on a first completed, first serve basis.
