How to Apply for Public Housing

You may apply for Conventional Public Housing (family), Elderly/Mixed Population Housing or Housing Choice.  Please note that the waiting list for Housing Choice and Conventional (family) is currently closed.

Conventional Public Housing and Housing Choice are two separate programs requiring separate applications, but both are located at the same office – 500 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey. Operating hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Conventional Public Housing is a term given to groups of buildings located at one site. Housing Choice is a program where applicants find apartments or houses owned by private landlords willing to rent under the program. NHA pays directly for part of the rent, based on federal regulations.

Your name will be placed on the preliminary waiting list based on the date and time of application. When your name appears at the top of the waiting list, the screening unit will review your application.

All applicants must successfully complete the screening process in order to be placed in a PHA unit. During the application process, you may check on the status of your application by calling (973) 273-6100 or (973) 273-6129 Monday through Friday from 9:30PM to 4:30PM.

1. Notice of Preliminary Eligibility

Within 6 to 8 weeks from the date of receipt, you will be mailed a "Notice of Preliminary Eligibility" from the NHA. This notice certifies that your application has been processed and confirms your placement on the preliminary waiting list based only on the Preference System and Family Composition information you provided. This notice will contain your client control number. This number should be used for ALL future correspondence with the NHA.

Phone: If you need to check on the status of your application or your place on the wait list you may call the NHA Status Lines at:
(973) 273-6100 or (973) 273-6129

3. Screening

As an applicant nears the top of the waiting list, he or she will receive written notification of a personal interview. This interview will take place with a NHA staff member. Included with this notification will be a list of verifying documents that the applicant must bring to the personal interview. This is part of what is commonly referred to as screening. It is a necessary part of the application process. It is important that the applicant brings his or her documents listed below to the personal interview.

All of the required documents must be brought with you if it applies to your situation:

• Original Birth Certificate or Adoption Papers for yourself and all persons who will live with you
• Original Social Security Card(s)
• Marriage Certificate
• Picture Identification
• Six (6) current Pay Stubs, Unemployment Stubs, Child Support receipt, etc. for all persons who will live with you
• Six (6) current Bank Statements, Savings Passbook or any other documentation relating to your Assets for all persons who will live with you
• Current Income for every family member (Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, TANF, VA or Pension Award Letters
• Notarized letter for all adult members with no source of income
• Child Care Expenses – Exclusions and Deductions
• Current Rent Receipt and Gas & Electric Bill.
• Receipts for out-of-pocket monthly medical expenses for Disabled and Elderly only
• If you are Disabled and do not receive Social Security for Supplemental Security Income, please bring the name and address of your doctor or health care provider
• Enrollment verification for members of your household 18 years or older who attend school
• Appropriate documentation of United States Citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizenship status for all household members

 
The NHA also checks an applicant's immigration status, housing history, and criminal record, and verifies income to help determine if an applicant is eligible for housing.