Phase 3 of Jersey City’s rental relief program will start on Oct. 31 and run though Nov. 10

Phase 3 of Jersey City’s rental relief program will begin accepting applications on October 31st and run through November 10th, officials said today.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“Since the start of this pandemic, we have worked to find various ways to ease residents’ financial burdens and provide critical relief to our families who need it most,” Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.

“For phase 3 of Jersey City’s Rent Relief Program, we have re-prioritized the population eligible for the assistance from 80% of the City’s AMI to 50% of the City’s AMI.  Additionally, we will focus on reaching families residing in federally subsided housing including low-income housings credit units, public housing, and participants of the Housing Choice Voucher program.”

To date, the city has dedicated more than $7 million in federal emergency rental assistance funds to the Rent Relief Program.

The city has awarded over $600,000 to the Jersey City Housing Authority for Phase 3, which will provide up to $10,000 per qualifying household to cover rent and rental arrears.

Payments will be made directly to landlords on behalf of individuals/households, covering arrears incurred since April 1, 2020.

The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program initially focused on families living in owner-occupied buildings with fewer than five apartments.

In this latest phase, the program has expanded to include households with incomes up to 80% of area median income and those that reside in other types of buildings.

However, in accordance with federal guidance, the program will continue to prioritize households at or below 50% of area median income, and households where at least one member has been unemployed for the 90-day period preceding date of application.

For more information and to apply, please visit the city’s website here.