[NFBNJ] Fwd: Fw: Flyers- New Jersey launches website, hotline for people who need housing assistance in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean

Mon Apr 19 20:37:41 UTC 2021

From: Gaston, Pamela
Date: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 3:34 PM
Subject: Fw: Flyers- New Jersey launches website, hotline for people who
need housing assistance in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean

FYI…

*                                  New Jersey launches website, hotline for
people who need housing assistance*

New Jersey renters, landlords and homeowners seeking information on the
latest housing rules, assistance grants, legal assistance or help working
out a rental repayment plan can find answers through a website launching
Friday by the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey at
www.housinghelpnj.org
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.housinghelpnj.org__;!!OUZQVuLPJGsF!mJig7gIpleS_XsvY1AzMGFLMhDEx0AvPg-mBnS5n86zoHHQ-j48J38J91rZVQorEEt9UrA$>.

The one-stop website includes a toll-free phone number, 888-691-3002, that
New Jerseyans can call to be connected with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
for legal help dealing with eviction filings, or with members of community
group partners that can act as mediators if a tenant needs help working out
a deal with a landlord to pay back rent  in arrears without going to court.

There's also a field where readers can submit housing-related questions
that staff members will monitor and answer or forward to partnering
organizations, depending on the need.

The effort was funded with $1.2 million from the state Affordable Housing
Trust Fund and $1.9 million from the Pandemic Relief Fund, a nonprofit
founded by first lady Tammy Murphy.

"Most people right now just don't know what their rights are," said Sharon
Barker, vice president and chief operating officer at the Housing and
Community Development Network. "I watch the governor's coronavirus
briefings, but many people don't do that. Information is power, and people
really need this information."

The website will explain in plain language the protections Gov. Phil Murphy
put in place to keep people housed during the coronavirus pandemic. For
instance, people cannot be kicked out of their homes under a state eviction
and foreclosure moratorium through at least June 19, and that could be
pushed back to a later date if Murphy renews a public health emergency
order.

However, landlords can start the eviction process by submitting filings in
court.

Utilities cannot be shut off through at least June 30, and renters can use
security deposits to make rental payments.

The state also launched a second round of the COVID-19 Emergency Rental
Assistance Program
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.app.com/story/news/2021/03/23/nj-renters-apply-housing-assistance/6963876002/__;!!OUZQVuLPJGsF!mJig7gIpleS_XsvY1AzMGFLMhDEx0AvPg-mBnS5n86zoHHQ-j48J38J91rZVQootLdeH8g$>
to
cover up to a year's worth of missed rent payments for about 25,000 to
30,000 low- and moderate-income households who lost income due to the
pandemic. Families in need can apply to the grant lottery at
https://njdca.onlinepha.com/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/njdca.onlinepha.com/__;!!OUZQVuLPJGsF!mJig7gIpleS_XsvY1AzMGFLMhDEx0AvPg-mBnS5n86zoHHQ-j48J38J91rZVQoplIHHlNA$>,
or can use the housing website to work with an expert to help them fill out
the application.

Undocumented immigrants are also eligible for these funds, though many
families may be reluctant to submit an application to a government agency
because they fear being deported, Barker said.  "We will do anything to
help and protect them," Barker said.

Renters who owe payments to landlords and want to avoid landlord-tenant
court —since court filings can be used by screening companies to make it
more difficult to find a new place to live in the future — can use the
website to find a mediator, who would work with both parties to come up
with a reasonable repayment plan.  The mediator organizations include New
Jersey Citizen Action, La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark, Parkside Business &
Community in Partnership in Camden, St Joseph's Carpenter Society in
Camden, Consumer Credit Counseling, the Affordable Housing Alliance and The
Waterfront Project in Jersey City.

The housing coalition plans to spread the word about this new resource by
putting up posters in bodegas, grocery stores, nail salons, child care
centers, barber shops, libraries and other locations in English and Spanish.

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National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
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Email: president at nfbnj.org
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