10/22/13 $57 million Sandy Housing and Rental Assistance Program, "The Working Families Living Expenses Voucher Program

Sandy Living Expenses Voucher Program Delivers Relief To

New Jersey’s Working Families

Christie Administration Announces Assistance Program For Homeowners And Renters


The Christie Administration today announced a new $57 million Sandy Housing and Rental Assistance Program, "The Working Families Living Expenses Voucher Program." The program will provide housing stability for individuals and families impacted by Superstorm Sandy and ensure that affected households have items essential for health and safety when they return to their home.

This voucher program provides temporary relief by offering support to working families who are financially strained due to the costs associated with recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

 Maintaining temporary housing while their primary residence is repaired/rebuilt;

 Maintaining a primary residence for the household to return to when repairs and reconstruction are completed; and

 Homeowners and renters who are under or unemployed due to the storm and in need of additional help to stabilize their finances may also benefit.

Funding for this program is being distributed to all of New Jersey’s 21 counties for qualifying Sandy-impacted families and individuals through a federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) to the state Department of Human Services (DHS).

Funds will be distributed through the county Boards of Social Services or other agencies in the form of direct payments to billing agencies or vouchers to select vendors for eligible residents. Capped at $15,000 in direct payments or vouchers per household, the program provides up to six months of housing and related assistance.

Allowable expenses include:

 Retroactive and Current rent/mortgage payments

 Retroactive and Current utility payments

 Beds and Cribs

 Bed Linens and Towels

 Dressers

 Dining furniture

 Washing machines and dryers

 Refrigerators

 Couches

 Dinnerware

 Lighting

 Stoves

 Microwaves

 Air Conditioners

 Pots and Pans

 Hot Water heaters

In order to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the program, residents may be asked to bring any of the following items for review:

 FEMA/DCA Registration

 Mortgage statement/lease agreement

 State issued driver’s license

 Utility bills

 Bank Account statement

　
 Income Tax Return

 Birth certificate/Voter ID/Legal Permanent Resident Card

 Guardianship papers, if applicable

People interested in applying for the program can visit www.NJ211.org or call 211 to find out where to apply.

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