Application Instructions for New Jersey Section 8
Step 1
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) administer housing assistance for residents through the Section 8 program. This assistance includes low-income housing, as well as emergency housing and housing for elderly or disabled individuals. Individuals and households can apply for Section 8 assistance via the following programs:
- Housing Choice Voucher program
- Homeownership program
- Public housing program
The Housing Choice Voucher program is for individuals and families who have housing options but are unable to afford rent. Under this program, you can apply to receive a subsidy that covers a majority of your rent costs. You are responsible for paying 30 percent of your adjusted monthly income toward the remaining rent expenses. The Section 8 Homeownership program allows residents to use their Housing Choice Voucher benefits to pay for a mortgage or other related homeowner expenses.
If you are homeless or have been involuntarily displaced from your previous residence, you may be eligible for the public housing program. There are more than 35,000 Section 8 project-based housing units in New Jersey available through this program.
Who can Qualify for Section 8?
In New Jersey residents must qualify for Section 8 services based on several factors. The first and most important factor is your household income. Your annual income total for all working adults must not exceed the low-income limit. This limit is based on your household size ranging from one person to eight people. If you have more than eight people living in your household your PHA agent will calculate the increased limit for you.
Other factors that must be met include your residency status:
- You must be a New Jersey resident currently living in the state.
- You must be a US citizen or naturalized resident immigrant without any criminal convictions in the US.
- Your household members must be able to pass a criminal background check.
If you or someone in your household is elderly or disabled you will be given priority status when applying for emergency housing services through Section 8 in New Jersey.
Additionally, you must be able to prove the identities of everyone in your household, as well as provide documents proving your income and expenses. Your public housing authority agent may also require you to be interviewed prior to receiving Section 8 services.
How to Apply
You will need to begin the application process by getting on a waitlist in New Jersey.
- There is one waitlist open for the Housing Choice Voucher program, via the Union City Housing Authority. However, there are 84 housing authorities that may open up waitlists in the future.
- The statewide waitlist for open enrollment for the HCV program is currently closed.
- For the public housing waitlists 77 are either open now or closed indefinitely.
To pre-apply visit the New Jersey DCA program website. Please note you will not be able to pre-apply to a waitlist until a waitlist is open to the public. Announces are made for Section 8 waitlists in local newspapers.
After you are put on the waitlist, and once you are accepted to apply for Section 8, you will be required to submit an in-depth application. This application process will include documents proving your household composition, as well as access to your financial information. You may also be interviewed by your PHA agent prior to completing the application process. Everything you say and the documents you provide will be used to determine your eligibility status.
Following the application process you will be notified to whether you are approved or denied for benefits. If you are approved for the Housing Choice Voucher program you are responsible for finding privately-owned, affordable housing in New Jersey.
To speak with a HUD representative regarding questions or comments about the Section 8 services in New Jersey, contact the Newark Field Office.