Emergency Housing Vouchers

Information for Applicants

 

Information for Property Owners/Agents

 

Information for Applicants

BACKGROUND

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) was signed into law, which provides over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, public health, State and local governments, individuals and businesses. Section 3202 of the ARP appropriated $5 billion for the creation, administration and renewal of Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs).

Nationwide, HUD is providing 70,000 EHVs to local Public Housing Authorities. The Newark Housing Authority has received an allocation of 101 EHVs and will administer the vouchers in collaboration with the Essex County Continuum of Care (CoC) and the Essex County Family Justice Center (ECFJC). The NHA is not accepting direct application for this program.

 

EHV PROGRAM REFERRALS

All referrals to the NHA’s EHV program must be made through the Essex County CoC’s Coordinated Entry Program, which provides centralized, focused access to homeless services for individuals and families throughout Essex County or through a direct referral from the ECFJC.

 

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible for an EHV, an individual or family must meet one of four eligibility categories:

  • Homeless,
  • At risk of homelessness,
  • Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or
  • Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.

Click here for detailed definitions of each category.

Persons eligible to apply for EHVs under one of the four criteria listed above are subject to further eligibility requirements listed in the NHA’s Administrative Plan and HUD PIH Notice 2021-15.

 

Additional Eligibility Requirements

In addition to meeting one of the priority categories above, the household must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Favorable criminal history screening results.
  • Social Security Number and/or Citizenship Documentation.
  • All household members must sign and submit consent forms to allow the NHA to obtain further information.
  • Income Eligibility

 

INCOME LIMITS

To qualify for an EHV the total household income must be less than or equal to the guidelines below:

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

1 PERSON

2 PERSONS

3 PERSONS

4 PERSONS

5 PERSONS

6 PERSONS

7 PERSONS

8 PERSONS

MAXIMUM INCOME

$40,250

$46,000

$51,750

$57,500

$62,100

$66,700

$71,300

$75,900

 

 

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As of 4/18/2022

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

The NHA is no longer accepting applications for Emergency Housing Vouchers. Please check back frequently for information on any additional vouchers. If you have questions about the Emergency Housing Voucher program, you may reach NHA staff at crpt@newarkha.org.

 

Information for Property Owners/Agents

Newark Families need property owners like YOU!

The City of Newark is home to the largest housing authority in the State of NJ, the Newark Housing Authority (NHA). Our community also has a great need for decent, safe and affordable housing. The NHA administers a Housing Choice Voucher Program that assists more than 6,000 families annually. Most recently, the NHA was awarded an additional 101 Emergency Housing Vouchers through the American Relief Plan (ARP). We are actively recruiting landlords like yourself to learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher Program and to become a critical partner in housing families in need.

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

The housing choice voucher (HCV) program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. The HCV program provides tenant-based assistant to owners of privately owned units. This allows families to lease homes in areas of their choice and does not limit them to subsidized housing developments. 

What are Emergency Housing Vouchers “EHVs”?

EHVs are a form of tenant-based rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)).

Benefits of Program Participation

Property owners/managers like yourself play a crucial role in the NHA’s HCV program – you provide the housing. The success of the HCV program depends on owners entering the program and leasing units to eligible families. Owners are important to the program because their participation determines the geographical distribution and availability of units accessible to voucher holders.

How will this benefit me?

In such uncertain times and in a volatile market, the HCV program assures a rent payment every month so long as both you and your tenant are in compliance with program rules. The tenant’s rent portion is based roughly on 30% of their adjusted income and the housing authority makes the remainder of the rent payment (Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)) directly to you.  Rent portions and HAP payments are subject to adjustment at least annually, but may be adjusted throughout the tenancy based on changes to your tenant’s income.

  • One-time $400 incentive for first-time Owners participating in the EHV.
  • Timely and dependable payments from the NHA.
  • Regular unit inspections.
  • Annual Rent Increases may be requested.
  • Financial protection from tenant income fluctuations.

Current Payment Standards

The NHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program payment standards are as follows for both traditional vouchers and Emergency Housing Vouchers. They are grouped by maximum payment (with utilities included in the contract rent amount) by bedroom size.

Housing Choice Voucher Program/Emergency Housing Voucher Program (as of 5/1/2022)

Studio

1BR

2BR

3BR

4BR

5BR

1,220

1,468

1,775

2,264

2,699

3,103

 

Request for Tenancy Approval Process

 

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections

Yes. HUD requires that all units occupied by HCV program participants pass what is called a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection. Inspections are conducted once annually. For more information about what to expect during an HQS Inspection, please see the HUD Form 52580 – HQS Inspection Checklist. 

The EHV program allows for pre-inspections of ready units – meaning the unit can be inspected prior to having a prospective tenant. A passed inspection remains valid for 45 days, during which time the NHA will provide a listing units that have passed HQS inspections to applicants with vouchers searching for units.

Realtor Assistance

To see if your unit qualifies for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program, you may reach out to Megan Scarborough of ReMax Realty at (973) 855-6715 or meganrentsnewark@gmail.com.

Landlord Resources (Hyperlink to forms)