Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Tens of thousands apply to NJ’s housing voucher lottery. Only 4,000 will make the waitlist.
By
Karen Yi
Published Jul 19, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Sommart Sombutwanitkul/Shutterstock
By
Karen Yi
Published Jul 19, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New Jersey residents who need help paying their rent have until Monday, July 25th to enter a state lottery for housing assistance.
But the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers the program, said that in the last week it had already been inundated with far more applications than it can grant via available slots, underscoring the state’s housing affordability crisis.
“We are aware of the critical need for affordable housing in New Jersey and remain committed to investing in programs that help to make New Jersey more affordable to live and raise a family,” Lieutenant Governor and DCA Commissioner Sheila Oliver said in a statement this month. “If you are in need of housing assistance, please take this opportunity to submit an application during the open enrollment period.”
The department said 4,000 households will be selected for the State Rental Assistance Program, which subsidizes rents for very-low-income families and individuals, which the state defines as those making less than 30% of the median family income for their counties. The application lists specific income requirements for each county.
As of Monday — a week after applications opened — 61,509 were received, DCA spokeswoman Gina Trish said. And the open enrollment period still had another week to go.
The program works similarly to federal Section 8 vouchers. Participants contribute 25% to 40% of their income toward rent, and the state covers the rest. The subsidy, however, must be used in New Jersey.
The awards will be made randomly — going to 1,000 people in each of four categories. For the “elderly” category, the head of an applying household must be 62 years of age or older. For the “family” category, the head a household can be 18 or older, or an emancipated minor. The “disabled” category is open to any household where the head or spouse is permanently disabled. And the “homeless” category is open to households that lack “fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”
Applicants who are selected are put on a waitlist. The program reopens once every three to four years, after the state has made its way through that list, Trish said.
The DCA originally announced the pre-application period would close Friday, July 22nd, but extended the period to Monday at 5 p.m. after experiencing technical glitches with the online application, according to NJ.com.
Residents can apply at nj.gov/dca or call 609-292-4080 for assistance. Specific income limits are posted to the site as well.
Tagged
new jersey
housing
Karen Yi
Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .