Residents will be eligible to receive up to 6 months of rental assistance
UNION COUNTY – The Union County Freeholder Board is pleased to announce a rent relief program for eligible residents adversely impacted by COVID-19. Residents can apply through one of three partner non-profit agencies for needed assistance beginning November 16. The Board approved funding for the program through the federal CARES Act on November 12.
A total of $1,350,000 will be available through federal funds for residents who have fallen behind in payments as a result of job loss or income reduction. The program will provide a minimum of three months of assistance. An additional three months of assistance will be provided to eligible County renters in need of further assistance.
“Many residents have been furloughed or laid off because of the COVID-19 outbreak, and are facing tough choices between food, housing, and other necessities,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder board is committed to doing all that we can to assist those in need, and the new rental assistance program is an important part of those efforts.”
Starting Monday November 16, 2020, interested residents can submit their application on one of the following non-profit websites:
- Family Promise Union County (org)
- Urban League of Union County (org)
- United Way of Greater Union County (org).
Eligibility requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Renters living in Union County;
- Household Income is at or below 80% of Median Family Income (MFI);
- Household income loss must be due to Covid-19;
- Applicants must be able to provide documentation of income received as a result of any governmental response program due to Covid-19 (such as unemployment compensation) as well as a current lease agreement.
Residents requiring information or assistance with the application process can call any of the three non-profit partners involved and schedule an appointment. Staff will inform applicants of the required documentation to bring to the appointment. Once staff has a complete application with all required documentation, the application will be reviewed for eligibility. Applicants will be provided with documented proof of their filed rental assistance application for their landlord. Once the application is approved, funds will be disbursed by mailed check directly to the landlord.
If you have any other questions please reach out to Brandon Givens, Director of Community Services at 908-527-4462 or via email bgivens@ucnj.org.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.
For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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