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New Jersey

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on August 21, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in New Jersey, we recommend that you visit the Department of Human Services or the governor's COVID-19 Resources website

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Description of Program and Relief

Emergency Grant Funding Program to Assist Small Residential Landlords and Tenants

The program will reimburse small residential rental property owners for lost rent revenue due to COVID-19 between April and July 2020, as long as they agree to forgive outstanding back rent and late fees that their tenant accrued during this time. The application portal will open on Wednesday, August 19 at 9 AM and remain open until Wednesday, August 26 at 1 PM. Relief will be awarded to eligible applicants based on a computerized lottery.

Government or Lead Agency

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

Dates Available

Applications open August 19, 2020 through August 26, 2020

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Eligibility requirements include:

The applicant must:

  • Be the primary property owner of a residential rental property (i.e., not condominium or cooperative) property in New Jersey and registered as such with New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (NJDCA) on the Bureau of Housing Inspection Registration Inspection Management System (RIMS) database as of July 17, 2020.

  • Not be a government entity or public housing authority.

  • Be current on all state and local tax obligations.

The applicant’s property must:

  • Contain at least 3 and no more than 10 total housing units.

  • Not be a seasonal or vacation rental property.

  • Have, if available, a fire inspection certificate, current as of December 31, 2019, from the Local Enforcement Agency responsible for fire safety.

  • Contain at least one non-vacant COVID-impacted unit with a net rent deficit between April and July 2020. This means that the total rent due from the tenant in this four-month period exceeds the rent the landlord received during this period.

  • A full list of eligibility requirements is available here.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

August 26, 2020

Contact for More Information

To learn in detail about what information and documents you need to apply to the program, review the Application Checklist.

To learn more about the program, please review these Frequently Asked Questions.

Call 866-280-9756 or email sleg@njhmfa.gov.

List of Additional Information

More information is available here.


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