Get Housing This Week

Last Updated: 11/14/2023

In New Jersey, shelters can help different kinds of people, like pregnant women, those who left foster care, single folks, and veterans who may also be in college. If you're struggling with rent and utility bills, there are also programs to assist those who can't pay due to emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shelters:
Many shelters require some form of identification and have limited beds or restrictions on how long people can stay. You may also need to participate in an intake process, and answer some questions, to become a client of the hosting organization. (Highlighted resource: Get photo IDs or replacement Social Security cards.)

Note: if you are experiencing housing instability due to domestic violence, you may also want to call the 24 hour, 7 days a week National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Below, find your county to view a list of shelters. Each list includes some details about the programs and, in some cases, the requirements.

You can also call 211 to get information about shelters near you.

Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Salem County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County

Rental or Utility Assistance:

If you are dealing with issues related to the landlord-tenant relationship, you may need an attorney.

To get a quick understanding of which programs you might qualify for, fill in this screener (takes about 3 minutes) from DCAid, a program of the Department of Community Affairs. This page provides a quick screening questionnaire for an array of housing-related benefits, including rental assistance (e.g., Section 8, rental assistance, Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), homeless and eviction prevention, home energy assistance (e.g., LIHEAP, Universal Service Fund), and weatherization assistance.

For statewide or county-specific resources, see below.

Statewide

NJ Power On. For help with utilities, gas and electric (you can also call 732-982-8710).

Winter Termination Program, a program run by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Protects eligible households from gas/electric shutoffs between November 15 and March 15. Those enrolled in programs including TANF, USF, and HEAP are eligible, as are other households unable to pay their bills due to situations such as unemployment or illness. Call 1-800-624-0241.

New Jersey Comfort Partners, a program run by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.Provides income-eligible households free energy efficient upgrades to reduce their utility bills. Call 800-915-8309 or fill in the form at the bottom of this page.

New Jersey SHARES.Grants to assist with gas, electric, and water bills for qualified households, including those facing a temporary financial crisis. Click on Energy or Water for information about related programs. Identify the program(s) that meets your needs and click the Apply button. Review the eligibility information and required documents (if included). Click Apply Online or (if available) Download Applications to complete the application. If downloading, submit the application and required documents to the email or physical address listed on the program page. Email info@njshares.org or call 866-657-4273.

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Eviction Prevention Program, run by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.Rental assistance programs for low- and moderate-income families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who cannot pay their rent and utilities. Call 609-490-4550 or scroll down on this page to learn about how to submit an application and apply.

Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program, run by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. Free housing counseling to help guide homeowners in foreclosure through the mediation process, potentially negotiating loan modification or providing post-foreclosure housing transitions. Find a counselor here.

Atlantic County

Atlantic County Improvement Authority Short-Term Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more info on eligibility, visit here. Call 609-343-2390 for more information.

Bergen County

Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 855-203-6952 Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm.

Greater Bergen Community Action. Provides one-on-one assistance with the Bergen County Emergency Rental Assistance Program's online application either on the phone or in person, by appointment. Support is available in Spanish, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, French, Tagalog, and Turkish. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am to 5pm; Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 8pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm. Offices located in Hackensack. Call 201-464-8970 to schedule an appointment.

Bergen HEARTS. Assists Bergen County families who are experiencing a homeless emergency find and transition to a healthy, safe, and secure living environment while they build on their family's strengths and develop the skills to overcome their family's unique challenges in order to live independently in the community. We accomplish our mission by partnering with homeless families and community service providers in intense case management activities while engaging in advocacy efforts and leveraging interagency resources across Bergen County. Call 201-368-4200 Weekdays 8am to 4:30pm.

Burlington County

Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton. Offers multiple programs related to housing. Homelessness prevention services provide assistance with rent, mortgage, and utilities with some locations offering housing units. Rapid re-housing helps individuals and families locate affordable permanent housing and provides financial assistance, case management, and skill building. Transitional housing is offered via emergency shelter to families in Monmouth County through the Linkages program, which includes skills training. Emergency Temporary Sheltering is available on a limited basis in Burlington County along with homelessness prevention and referral services. Call 1-800-360-7711 or visit here, scroll down, click on the housing tab to see the program information.

Camden County

Camden County RECOVERS Rental Assistance Grant. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 856-389-6704.

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.Provides several emergency housing options for different populations, such as families, single adults, and male veterans. Locations also offer case management, benefits assistance, and other supports. For general information, email info@voadv.org or call 856-854-4660. In Camden County: 1) Aletha R. Wright "Vision of Hope" Center - is a 69-bed low barrier, emergency housing program for single, adult men experiencing homelessness in southern New Jersey. Location: 271 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104. Contact: (856) 966-0909. Anna Sample Complex - 93-bed Transitional Housing program serves single women and families in Camden County. Location: 408-416 Line Street, Camden, NJ 08103. Contact: (856) 963-0430. 3) Home for the Brave - a 30 bed, low demand transitional housing program for single, male veterans. Funded through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Home for the Brave is the only low demand housing program for veterans in New Jersey. Location: 271 Atlantic Avenue, Camden, New Jersey 08104. Contact: (856) 966-0909.

Cumberland County

Gateway Community Action Partnership.The program provides energy efficient home upgrades to income-eligible families to reduce heating and cooling costs. Download the Weatherization Application located on the left side of this webpage. If you need assistance, contact the organization at the856-455-5900.

Essex County

Essex County Housing and Community Development.Offers various services, including the CARES Mortgage Assistance Program, grants, home investment partnerships, emergency shelter, home improvement and first time home buyer programs. The intake procedure is from welfare or another shelter. For more information, call 973-655-0200 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. You can apply for programs online here.

United Community Corporation. Shelter up to 30 days for adult men and women experiencing homelessness. Includes case management services and occasional meals. They also offer utility assistance, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing services. For the emergency center, visit the 31 Fulton Street, Newark, with the following required documents: valid ID, social security card, and proof of address. For other housing supports, call 973-642-0181 or email (Energy Assistance) energyassistance@uccnewark.org or (Housing and Rental Assistance)
housing@uccnewark.org.

Gloucester County

Emergency Rental Assistance. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, including which documents you will need and to apply online, visit here or call 856-336-3700. (FYI, this program is being administered by two entities, whose names you may encounter in the process: CliftonLarsenAllen LLP and ACENDA Inc.)

Gateway Community Action Partnership.The program provides energy efficient home upgrades to income-eligible families to reduce heating and cooling costs. Download the Weatherization Application located on the left side of this webpage. If you need assistance, contact the organization at the 856-455-5900.

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.Provides several emergency housing options for different populations, such as families, single adults, and male veterans. Locations also offer case management, benefits assistance, and other supports. For general information, email info@voadv.org or call 856-854-4660. In Gloucester County: Eleanor Corbett House - a 52-bed emergency housing program providing shelter and case management services to single women and families residing in Gloucester County. Location: 355 Union Street, Glassboro, NJ 08028. Contact: (856) 881-5550.

Hudson County
Hoboken Homeless Shelter. Homelessness prevention services include security deposits, tenant rights counseling, and referrals to additional assistance. The shelter offers space for 50 men and women as well as case management services. Permanent supportive housing provides apartments alongside case management that includes independent living skills training and peer support. Call 201-656-5069 or email ana.prado@hobokenshelter.org.

Hudson County CARES II Eviction Prevention Program. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (FYI, Jersey City is administering assistance directly, and you can information on that here.) If you have questions, call 201-395-4799.

Hudson County also suggests the following organizations if you need help with back rent or utility assistance:

Back Rent Assistance

Utility Payment Assistance

Hunterdon County

Housing Resource Guide. This document has affordable housing options, as well as information on other resources like utilities assistance, food pantries, and places with affordable or free clothing and furniture.

Mercer County

Rental Assistance and Eviction Protection. Mercer County's Coordinated Entry Assessment System Center is completing applications with the following circumstances: a Mercer County single adult without children who is homeless, has a household income at or below 50% of AMI. Individuals fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human traffic may also qualify. Call 609-815-2579 and leave your name and phone number or email your information to jporter@trentonnj.org.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until February 2023 or until all funds are expended, whichever comes first. Mercer County households are required to document that someone within the household qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in income, suffered major costs directly or indirectly due to COVID-19 that impacted the household, and can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability. To fill out the application, visit this page. For more information, call the Mercer County Board of Social Services for assistance at 609-389-3575 from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, or to send an email to erap@mcboss.org.

(Hamilton Township Only)Hamilton Township Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program. Questions call 609-396-9355 x16. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

LifeTies.Offers several supportive and transitional housing options for various populations, including youths 18-21 years old who are aging out of the foster system, LGBTQ youth aged 16-21, and homeless, pregnant, and/or parenting young adults aged 18-24 and their children. Residents are connected with resources and support services designed to foster successful independent living. Call 609-771-1600 ext. 106 or email rwilkins@lifeties.org.

HomeFront.This organization offers several housing-related programs. Its Family Campus Shelter offers private rooms and baths for 38 families experiencing homelessness, including meals, on-site childcare, health and wellness, and others services. Its homelessness prevention services include back rent payments, security deposits, and small subsidies. Its housing for families program includes food, case management, and children's programs. Call 609-989-9417 for more information, email homefront@homefrontnj.org, or click on the programs that might apply to you here.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton. Offers multiple programs related to housing. Homelessness prevention services provide assistance with rent, mortgage, and utilities with some locations offering housing units. Rapid re-housing helps individuals and families locate affordable permanent housing and provides financial assistance, case management, and skill building. Transitional housing is offered via emergency shelter to families in Monmouth County through the Linkages program, which includes skills training. Emergency Temporary Sheltering is available on a limited basis in Burlington County along with homelessness prevention and referral services. Call 1-800-360-7711 or visit here, scroll down, click on the housing tab to see the program information.

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.Provides several emergency housing options for different populations, such as families, single adults, and male veterans. Locations also offer case management, benefits assistance, and other supports. For general information, email info@voadv.org or call 856-854-4660. In Mercer County: Amani House - a 25-bed transitional housing program for single, adult men experiencing homelessness in Mercer County. Location: 518-520 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Trenton, NJ 08618. Contact: (609) 393-3168.

Middlesex County

Middlesex County COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 732-745-4230.

Monmouth County

Monmouth County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Program paused as of April 2022. Rental assistance for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. For more information, including checking on the status of an application, call 848-801-1297 Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm or Saturday 8am to 1pm.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton. Offers multiple programs related to housing. Homelessness prevention services provide assistance with rent, mortgage, and utilities with some locations offering housing units. Rapid re-housing helps individuals and families locate affordable permanent housing and provides financial assistance, case management, and skill building. Transitional housing is offered via emergency shelter to families in Monmouth County through the Linkages program, which includes skills training. Emergency Temporary Sheltering is available on a limited basis in Burlington County along with homelessness prevention and referral services. Call 1-800-360-7711 or visit here, scroll down, click on the housing tab to see the program information.

Morris County

Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance. Call 973-829-8264 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm to begin the intake process. Social work staff provide assistance with temporary shelter, warming centers, rent, utilities, security deposits, and other basic needs.

RISE Residential Housing Program. Offered by the organization Roots and Wings, A two-year residential housing program for individuals aged 18-24 who have aged out of the foster system. Participants are required to have an educational goal, such as receiving a post-secondary credential. Call 973-567-1456 or email Christine.Boeler@rootsandwingsnj.org.(FYI, there is a waitlist for the program.)

Ocean County

Residential Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Rental assistance for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. Call833-753-9671 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm or visit here to view eligibility, required documents, and to apply online.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton. Offers multiple programs related to housing. Homelessness prevention services provide assistance with rent, mortgage, and utilities with some locations offering housing units. Rapid re-housing helps individuals and families locate affordable permanent housing and provides financial assistance, case management, and skill building. Transitional housing is offered via emergency shelter to families in Monmouth County through the Linkages program, which includes skills training. Emergency Temporary Sheltering is available on a limited basis in Burlington County along with homelessness prevention and referral services. Call 1-800-360-7711 or visit here, scroll down, click on the housing tab to see the program information.

Passaic County

Passaic County Rental Assistance Program. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 862-657-5797 Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm (extended hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays til 8pm).

Eva's Village. Eva's Village Apartments are 50 affordable housing units from efficiency to three bedroom in size that are intended to provide permanent housing for individuals and families. There are also overnight shelters for men and women aged 18 or older who are experiencing homelessness. Individuals are also connected to support services in the community. Call 973.523.6220 for information.

Salem County

Gateway Community Action Partnership. The program provides energy efficient home upgrades to income-eligible families to reduce heating and cooling costs. Download the Weatherization Application located on the left side of this webpage. If you need assistance, contact the organization at the 856-455-5900.

Somerset County

Somerset County Covid Recovery Funding. Program paused as of April 2022. Provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign up here to receive updates, or call 908-231-7128.

Visions and Pathways.Several different supportive and transitional housing options for foster youth as they age out of the system. Residents are also provided with tools and skills to succeed living independently. (Scroll down to view the programs under Residential Services and Housing to identify the one(s) that meet your needs. Contact the program at the phone number listed on their page for information about the application process.) For general information, call 908-526-6605 ext. 319.

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.Provides several emergency housing options for different populations, such as families, single adults, and male veterans. Locations also offer case management, benefits assistance, and other supports. For general information, email info@voadv.org or call 856-854-4660. In Somerset County: Agape House - offers emergency housing and case management services to single adults and families with children to residents in Somerset County. Location: 122-128 E. Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. Contact: (908) 707-9753

Union County

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Provides rental assistance for Union county households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Must have gross income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income & documentation of a reduction of income and/or unemployment. Review required documents here, review eligibility here, and apply here.

The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. Parents can access other programs and resources, such as rental assistance, transitional housing, and job-seeking support. Bernice's Place, a project of The Elizabeth Coalition, also provides after school and summer programming, including a healthy meal & snack, for homeless and economically disadvantaged children. (Children are bussed to and from the program site.) Hours of operation are Monday 1-4; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9-4. Located at 118 Division Street, Elizabeth New Jersey 07201. To learn more, call 908-355-2060 ext. 201 or email info@theelizabethcoalition.org.

HomeFirst.The Homeless Prevention Program offers assistance with security deposits, first month rent, rental arrearages, and utilities assistance. Housing services include permanent housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for families, and permanent housing for individuals. Offices located in Plainfield, NJ. Call 908-753-4001.

Warren County

Family Promise of Warren County (FPWC), Inc. This organization coordinates and administers various housing programs and services like parenting and nutrition programs and advocacy. Visit their website and look at "What We Do" and select the programs to check out eligibility. They also administer this county's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which provides rental assistance for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, call 908-453-2194 or email info@wcihn.org.