Morris County Application Process Opens for COVID-19 Rental Assistance

Published on March 19, 2021

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Morris County Received More Than $14.6 Million in Federal Aid for Residents in Need

On Monday, March 22, 2021, an on-line portal for COVID-19 related emergency rental assistance for Morris County and the State of New Jersey will be open to receive applications from low- and moderate-income households that had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Morris County has received more than $14.6 million to provide rental assistance to county residents who qualify for the aid, and they will be able to access the portal and apply for this program on Monday, March 22, 2021, beginning at 9:00 a.m. by going to: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/

“We are looking forward to the distribution of the Emergency Rental Assistance funding to help avert a housing crisis for tenants in critical need of such support. We know this rental assistance will also bring needed relief to landlords, who have been challenged by the financial impacts of the pandemic as well,” said Kasey Errico, Director of Morris County Human Services.

CountySeal.png Morris County has partnered with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), as have other counties, to utilize the state’s program vendor and eliminate confusion for those in need by using one on-line portal to access the application.

The umbrella name for the assistance is the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II or CVERAP PHASE II. The first phase was launched in July 2020, using $91.75 million in federal funds, which assisted about 15,000 New Jersey residents.  New Jersey has been provided $353 million for the second phase.

Morris County also has been advised by the state that there are additional emergency rental assistance funds that can be used for this program if Morris County residents’ need exceeds the more than $14.6 million received.  Morris County’s Office of Temporary Assistance will continue to assist as it has in the past with short term (1-3 months) rental assistance for eligible clients.

The program covers two areas:

Emergency Rental Assistance for Arrears: Applicants may be eligible for up to a maximum of twelve months of emergency rental assistance to help pay for rent arrears and future rent to the extent that funds are available. Families that have already received funding through Phase I of the program, that need additional rent support, and have not yet received the maximum twelve months of emergency rental assistance can apply for additional funding.

Emergency Rental Assistance for Current and Future Rents: Financial assistance is limited to three months based on application submitted, except that the household may receive additional assistance for additional months subject to the availability of remaining funds and eligibility, not to exceed 12 months (plus an additional three months if necessary to ensure housing stability).

Persons applying must meet all applicable income and eligibility requirements. You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Only one (1) application per household will be accepted. Applications will be accepted until enough applications have been received to ensure distribution of all available funds. A computerized selection (lottery) process will be used to select residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 for eligibility determination.

Eligibility Criteria: Selected households must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for assistance:

  • Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic; 
  • Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; 
  • Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (please see income limits below); 
  • Have a lack of assets and savings to pay rent arrears or current and future rent; 
  • Be a New Jersey resident; and 
  • Obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling. 

The program will only pay for rent arrears incurred after March 13, 2020

Property managers or owners of a residential dwelling may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. The landlord must:

  • Obtain the signature of the tenant on the application, which may be documented electronically; and 
  • Must provide documentation of the application to the tenant to notify the tenant that the application has been submitted.

Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Maximum Income Limits

The chart below shows the maximum income limits currently in effect for Morris County households of up to eight members. If you have a larger household, please contact DCA at 609-490-4550 for assistance in determining the maximum income limits for your household.

COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE MAXIMUM INCOME LIMIT
1 PERSON 2 PERSON
3 PERSON

 

4 PERSON
5 PERSON
6 PERSON

 

7 PERSON
8 PERSON
$54,950

$62,800

$70,650

$78,500

$84,800

$91,100 $97,350 $103,650

For more information, please go to the state portal:

https://njdca.onlinepha.com/

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