Community Development

CDBG-CV Short Term Emergency
Rental Assistance Grant Program

COVID-19 Assistance

The Atlantic County Emergency Rental Assistance Program has exhausted all funds and no further approvals or recertifications of eligibility will be made. Please visit www.NJ211.com for other resources that maybe be able to assist applicants.”

 

Due to COVID-19 concerns, no applications or  supporting documents will be accepted in person.  To quicken the submission and review of your application, it is highly suggested that you use  the application portal available on this website.  You can find the registration links below.
If for some reason you cannot use the application portal, the applications and supporting documents may be mailed to:

The Atlantic County Improvement Authority
C/O Community Development Office
600 Aviation Research Blvd.,
Egg Harbor Township, NJ, 08234
   

Submitting the application and supporting documentation by mail will cause a delay in the processing of your application.  Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis determined by the submission of a full and complete application and all necessary supporting documents. 


Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Purpose

The Atlantic County COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program will provide temporary rental assistance, for up to 12 months, to low- and moderate-income households that have suffered a COVID Hardship and Housing Instability due the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may be eligible for a grant for a maximum of up to 12 months of emergency rental assistance. The assistance, per month for rental assistance will be capped at DCA’s fair market rent standard or the total of the rent, whichever is lesser. Rental Arrears are also eligible to be paid.  Electric, Gas, and Water arrears and current bills are eligible to be paid by this program.   All participants will be reviewed at the three-month interval to see if they are still in need of assistance. Persons applying must meet all applicable program income and eligibility requirements.

The program will be administered by the Atlantic County Improvement Authority under the direction of the Executive Director, John Lamey.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, an applicant to this program must be an Atlantic County Resident who can prove that they suffered an economic hardship because of COVID-19 or its aftermath. The applicant’s household income must also meet the HUD Low and Moderate Income Limits for the County.

# of Household Members

80% of Median Income

1 Person

$46,450.00

2 Persons

$53,100.00

3 Persons

$59,750.00

4 Persons

$66,350.00

5 Persons

$71,700.00

6 Persons

$77,000.00

7 Persons

$82,300.00

8 Persons

$87,600.00

Prohibition on Duplication of Benefits

Applicants must disclose other local, state and federal rental assistance received. These benefits will be taken into consideration when determining the amount that will be provided to the applicant for rental assistance.

Evidence of Financial Hardship Due to COVID
Applicants will be required to document financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Rental Assistance Available
These funds are intended to be emergency assistance.

  • Applicants without housing costs in arrears can apply for the cost of 3 months of housing only, starting with current month’s housing costs.
  • Applicants with housing costs in arrears may apply (in one application) for assistance for multiple past months beginning March 15, 2020, as well as for the next 3 months’ housing cost.
  • Utilities (Gas, Electric, and Water) arrears and current bills may also be paid. Uitilities paid as part of rent will only be eligible as rent.
  • If funds are available, applicants can submit a re-application for assistance every 3 months for up to twelve months.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH YOUR APPLICATION

  • A copy of ID from each household member
  • A copy of your signed lease
  • Proof of Current Household Income: (both of the following)
    • 2 months of Bank Statements, or any online service you use for your household cash flow. example: PayPal, Chime, Prepaid Credit Card etc.
    • at least 3 current pay statements and proof of any other income from each household member with income
  • Proof of COVID Hardship: (one of the following two)
    • Unemployment Statement, or
    • COVID Hardship Letter plus a Employer’s Layoff Statement, Job Application Rejection, or Proof of Income Loss ( 2019 and 2020 tax returns)
  • Proof of Housing Instability: (one of the following three)
    • Proof of Arrears – Rent/Utility/ Eviction Notice, or
    • Evidence of unsafe/unhealthy living conditions,
    • Proof that 50% of current household monthly income going to rent