Jersey City is awarding over $2.5 million in rent relief and utility assistance to over 1,600 low-income households. The money is part of the Jersey City Rent Relief Program, which launched earlier this year and plans to make direct payments to landlords and utility companies on behalf of residents. City officials say the average applicant owed $6,350 in past due rent.
“It’s well established that those most affected by this pandemic are disproportionately low-income and people of color, which is why we have been working on a municipal level to provide direct aid to our residents facing income loss and eviction, regardless of their immigration status,” said Mayor Steven Fulop.
Of the nearly 3,000 applications received, only 1,638 qualified for the $1,500 relief checks. According to city officials, 95% of the grant money went to residents in the Heights and south west sections of the city. The breakdown provided by city officials is:
- Ward A: 19%
- Ward B: 20%
- Ward C: 17%
- Ward D: 12%
- Ward E: 5%
- Ward F: 27%
Second wave of rent relief already in the works
The city is now planning a second round of rental assistance that will offer even more aid. Eligible households could now receive up to 12 months of rental assistance, plus an additional 3 months if needed. Individuals who were deemed ineligible during the first round don’t need to apply again. (Those applications will be reevaluated and the applicant will be connected to additional resources). Otherwise, new applicants can sign up here.
As a reminder, eligible households must fall below federal income limits and owe rent/utility payments for over three months or fewer since March 2020.
