N.J. Stat. Ann. § 52:27D-280 et seq. § 52:27D-287.1
Rental assistance program for low income households, senior citizens, veterans
Operative Text
1. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall establish a State rental assistance program for low income individuals or households. This program shall be in addition to and supplement any existing programs established pursuant to the "Prevention of Homelessness Act (1984)," P.L.1984, c.180 (C.52:27D-280 et al.). a. The program shall provide rental assistance grants comparable to the federal section 8 program, but shall be available only to State residents who are not currently holders of federal section 8 vouchers. b. Assistance to an individual or household under the State program shall be terminated upon the award of federal section 8 rental assistance to the same individual or household. c. The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for assistance to senior citizens aged 62 or older who otherwise meet the criteria of subsection a. of this section. d. The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for assistance to veterans who have successfully completed the Veterans Transitional Housing Program, or "Veterans Haven," a vocational and transitional housing program for homeless veterans administered by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. e. The program shall reserve a portion of the funds available to it for tenant-based vouchers to veterans, other than those veterans eligible for assistance pursuant to subsection d. of this section. f. The program shall reserve a portion of the funds available to it to establish and administer a program comparable to the federal section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program, authorized pursuant to Subpart M of Part 982 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, to enable a household to use a program voucher to buy a home by providing monthly homeownership assistance or a single down payment assistance grant. g. The program shall reserve a portion of the funds available to it to establish and administer a program comparable to the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program, authorized pursuant to Section 1437u of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, to help families achieve economic independence and reduce dependence on welfare assistance and rental subsidies. h. The program shall reserve a portion of the funds available to it to establish and administer a Home Repair Emergency Assistance Fund, to assist families with costs of necessary home repairs and other homeownership expenses over the course of their participation. L.2004, c.140, s.1; amended 2007, c.208, s.1; 2007, c.237; 2017, c.29; 2024, c.98, s.1.
Under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-287.1, the New Jersey Commissioner of Community Affairs is directed to operate a State rental assistance program that supplements existing homelessness-prevention programs. The program provides grants modeled on the federal Section 8 program, but is limited to New Jersey residents who do not already hold federal Section 8 vouchers, and assistance ends if a participant later receives a federal voucher. The program carves out dedicated portions of its funding for senior citizens aged 62 or older, veterans who completed the Veterans Haven program, other veterans seeking tenant-based vouchers, homeownership assistance, family self-sufficiency initiatives, and emergency home repair funds.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who participate in or are considering participation in this State rental assistance program under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-287.1 should be aware that the program operates similarly to the federal Section 8 framework, meaning comparable administrative processes and payment structures generally apply. Compliant operators typically verify that prospective assisted tenants hold valid State program vouchers rather than federal Section 8 vouchers, since the two programs are mutually exclusive for any individual recipient. Landlords working with veterans or senior citizen tenants may encounter applicants from the program's reserved funding pools, and understanding those distinct eligibility tracks can help streamline the leasing process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 52:27D-287.1 establishes a State rental assistance program that New Jersey residents who do not hold federal Section 8 vouchers may be eligible to access, with dedicated grant pools reserved for seniors aged 62 or older, veterans who completed the Veterans Haven program, and other qualifying veterans. Tenants should be aware that receiving a federal Section 8 voucher after enrolling in the State program will result in termination of State assistance under this provision. Individuals who believe they qualify, or whose State assistance has been terminated, may wish to contact the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs directly, consult a local tenant-rights organization, or seek guidance from a legal aid office familiar with housing subsidy programs.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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