{"id":5729,"date":"2026-09-02T18:42:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T18:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/?page_id=5729"},"modified":"2026-09-18T17:24:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T17:24:20","slug":"housing-assistance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/housing-assistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Housing Assistance and Homelessness Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-accent-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Need help with housing?<\/strong> Union County residents who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing their housing, or having difficulty maintaining stable housing may be eligible for assistance. Services vary based on eligibility, household circumstances, program availability, and available funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Help Available<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Housing-related assistance may include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Emergency Shelter<\/strong> \u2013 Temporary shelter and connections to supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Homelessness Prevention<\/strong> \u2013 Assistance and case management for households at risk of losing their current housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rental &amp; Back-Rent Assistance<\/strong> \u2013 Financial assistance may be available to eligible households experiencing a housing crisis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security Deposit Assistance<\/strong> \u2013 Assistance with a security deposit may be available to help eligible individuals and families secure permanent housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Housing Search &amp; Placement<\/strong> \u2013 Help identifying available housing, completing rental applications, understanding leases, addressing housing barriers, and connecting with landlords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rapid Re-Housing &amp; Supportive Housing<\/strong> \u2013 Eligible individuals and families experiencing homelessness may be connected to programs designed to help them obtain and maintain stable housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emergency Assistance (EA)<\/strong> \u2013 Eligible recipients of TANF, General Assistance, or SSI may qualify for certain emergency housing-related services through the Division of Social Services. Union County DSS administers Emergency Assistance among its public-benefit programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Where to Start<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Not sure which housing program is right for you? Contact the Union County Department of Human Services Action Line at 908-677-5405 or <a href=\"mailto:DHSAction@ucnj.org\">DHSAction@ucnj.org<\/a>. Our team can help connect you with available County programs and community resources based on your needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Residents may also contact or be referred to local housing and homelessness providers, including Elizabeth Coalition Homeless and Family Promise Union County. Union County&#8217;s resource guide also identifies organizations such as Catholic Charities, PROCEED, the Urban League of Union County, Community Access Unlimited, Plainfield Action Services, local housing authorities, and other community partners as potential resources for rental, security-deposit, shelter, and related housing assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>Section 8 \/ Housing Choice Vouchers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program provides rental assistance to eligible low-income households. <strong>Waiting lists open and close based on capacity and funding.<\/strong> Union County&#8217;s most recent 2026 waiting-list opening reached capacity and is currently closed, so residents should check for future announcements rather than assuming applications are continuously available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\"><strong>If You Are Experiencing a Housing Emergency<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are currently homeless, facing an immediate loss of housing, or need emergency shelter, contact the <strong>Union County DHS Action Line at 908-677-5405<\/strong> for assistance and referrals. Union County&#8217;s Continuum of Care coordinates emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, street outreach, rapid re-housing, and supportive housing resources throughout the County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Please Note:<\/strong> Eligibility and availability vary by program. Financial assistance and housing placement are not guaranteed and may depend on funding, household eligibility, documentation, and available housing or shelter capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/ceas-coc\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Union County Homeless &amp; Housing Continuum of Care<\/a> website<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-subtle-background-background-color has-background\">Non-Profit Partners<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Human Services announce the Union County Homeless &amp; At-Risk of Homelessness Chart of Services.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Please be aware that the availability of any service described on this page is contingent upon each client\u2019s program eligibility, as well as sufficient funding. Inclusion of any agency or organization does NOT imply endorsement of its purpose, NOR does omission imply disapproval of any entity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emergency Shelter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Elizabeth Coalition (motel\/hotel):<\/strong> (908) 355-2060<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family Promise:<\/strong> (908) 289-7300<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gateway Family YMCA:<\/strong> (908) 355-9622<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Salvation Army \u2013 Elizabeth:<\/strong> (908) 352-7057<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transitional Housing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Community Access Unlimited:<\/strong> (908) 354-3040<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROCEED:<\/strong> (908) 351-7727<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Permanent\/Supportive Housing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bridgeway Rehab Services:<\/strong> (908) 289-7330<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Access Unlimited:<\/strong> (908) 354-3040<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elizabeth Coalition:<\/strong> (908) 355-2060<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gateway Family YMCA:<\/strong> (908) 355-9622<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Volunteers of America:<\/strong> (908) 827-2440<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>YWCA Union County:<\/strong> (908) 355-4357<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Utility Assistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Catholic Charities:<\/strong> (908) 497-3966<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROCEED:<\/strong> (908) 351-7727<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Salvation Army \u2013 Elizabeth:<\/strong> (908) 352-7057<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rental Assistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Catholic Charities:<\/strong> (908) 497-3966<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Access:<\/strong> (908) 354-3040<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elizabeth Coalition:<\/strong> (908) 355-2060<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family Promise:<\/strong> (908) 289-7300<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROCEED:<\/strong> (908) 351-7727<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Salvation Army \u2013 Elizabeth:<\/strong> (908) 352-7057<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Urban League of Union County:<\/strong> (908) 351-7200<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mortgage\/Foreclosure Assistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Faith, Bricks, &amp; Mortar:<\/strong> (908) 756-5774<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Urban League of Union County:<\/strong> (908) 351-7200<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Security Assistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Catholic Charities:<\/strong> (908) 497-3966<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROCEED:<\/strong> (908) 351-7727<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food Assistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Catholic Charities:<\/strong> (908) 497-3966<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Access Unlimited:<\/strong> (908) 354-3040<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elizabethport Presbyterian Center:<\/strong> (908) 351-4850<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROCEED:<\/strong> (908) 351-7727<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Salvation Army \u2013 Plainfield:<\/strong> (908) 756-2595<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Urban League of Union County:<\/strong> (908) 351-7200<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Statewide Homeless Hotline<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dial <strong>2-1-1<\/strong> or <strong>1-877-652-1148<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case Management \/ Information &amp; Referral<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bridgeway House:<\/strong> (908) 289-7330<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Catholic Charities:<\/strong> (908) 497-3966<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Central Jersey Legal Services:<\/strong> (908) 354-4340<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Access Unlimited:<\/strong> (908) 354-3040<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Health Law Project:<\/strong> (908) 355-8282<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elizabeth Coalition:<\/strong> (908) 355-2060<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family &amp; Children&#8217;s Services:<\/strong> (908) 352-7474<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Family Promise:<\/strong> (908) 289-7300<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gateway Family YMCA:<\/strong> (908) 355-9622<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jefferson Park Ministries:<\/strong> (908) 469-9508<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jewish Family Service:<\/strong> (908) 352-8375<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plainfield Action Services:<\/strong> (908) 753-3519<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROCEED:<\/strong> (908) 351-7727<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Raphael&#8217;s Life House:<\/strong> (908) 354-4750<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Salvation Army \u2013 Elizabeth:<\/strong> (908) 352-7057<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Salvation Army \u2013 Plainfield:<\/strong> (908) 756-2595<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>United Family &amp; Children&#8217;s Society:<\/strong> (908) 755-4848<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>United Way of Greater Union County:<\/strong> (908) 353-7171<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Urban League of Union County:<\/strong> (908) 351-7200<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>YWCA Union County:<\/strong> (908) 355-4357<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Resources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Union County Code Blue Homeless Emergency Shelter Initiative:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/code-blue\/\">ucnj.org\/dhs\/code-blue\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New Jersey 2-1-1:<\/strong> (877) 652-1148 \u2014 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nj211.org\/\">nj211.org\/<\/a>Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. NJ 2-1-1 connects you to local services, community resources, and government assistance. All calls are free and confidential.Multilingual Call Specialists provide comprehensive information and referral services about a variety of issues, including:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Basic Human Needs Resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for Seniors &amp; Persons with Disabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for Children, Youth and Families<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical and Mental Health Resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment Supports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Helps:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.njhelps.org\/\">njhelps.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.alliancetoendhunger.org\"> alliancetoendhunger.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Housing Resource Center:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.njhrc.gov\">njhrc.gov<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal Services of NJ:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lsnjlaw.org\/\">lsnjlaw.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.njgroups.org\/\">njgroups.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anti-Poverty Network of NJ:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.antipovertynetwork.org\/\">antipovertynetwork.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Department of Human Services:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.state.nj.us\/humanservices\/\">state.nj.us\/humanservices\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nj.gov\/dca\/hmfa\/\">nj.gov\/dca\/hmfa\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ FamilyCare (health insurance program):<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.njfamilycare.org\">njfamilycare.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Affordable Care Act (health insurance program):<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\">healthcare.gov<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Community Resources:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/panjcommunityresources.info\/nj-community-resources\">panjcommunityresources.info\/nj-community-resources<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Department of Human Services:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.state.nj.us\/humanservices\">state.nj.us\/humanservices<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NJ Department of Community Affairs \u2013 Division of Housing &amp; Community Resources:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.state.nj.us\/dca\/divisions\/dhcr\/index.shtml\">state.nj.us\/dca\/divisions\/dhcr\/index.shtml<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Online Application for NJ Health and Social Services:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/oneapp.dhs.state.nj.us\/\">oneapp.dhs.state.nj.us\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The online screening takes approximately 10\u201315 minutes. The information you provide is private and confidential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information about these services in Union County and\/or additional copies of the flyer, please contact the <strong>Union County Department of Human Services Action Line<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Phone:<\/strong> (908) 677-5405<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Email:<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:DHSaction@ucnj.org\">DHSaction@ucnj.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Need help with housing? Union County residents who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing their housing, or having difficulty maintaining stable housing may be eligible for assistance. Services vary based on eligibility, household circumstances, program availability, and available funding. Help Available Housing-related assistance may include: Where to Start Not sure which housing program is&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-full-width.php","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5729","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"1970-01-01 00:00:00","action":"","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","browser_timezone_offset":0},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5729"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5866,"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5729\/revisions\/5866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ucnj.org\/dhs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}