Greater Bergen Community Action provides temporary rental assistance and eviction intervention

Formerly known as Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Greater Bergen Community Action continues to expand its activities to meet the ever increasing needs of at-risk families in Bergen and Passaic Counties.

The organization has changed its name largely to reflect is larger role in preventing financial distress in northeastern New Jersey. While traditionally a big service provider in Bergen County, Greater Bergen Community Action has since merged with the Bergen County Housing Coalition.

Distressed tenants have a real advocate that will stand behind them in many landlord disputes. The goal is to find a workable solution so that the tenant may either remain in their current rental home, or to limit their liability if the landlord chooses to evict them from the residence.

If you live in Bergen or Passaic County and feel that you are at risk of homelessness, you should contact a case manager immediately to determine the options that you may have. If you received an eviction notice, you will want to take this with you along with a copy of your lease agreement. You will need to schedule an appointment with your case manager to review your case and to determine possible outcomes.

One service that you can receive is budget counseling, which will determine if you can afford to remain in the home. Your case manager will also look at your family size and demographics as well as your monthly financial obligations. There are income limits that depend on your family size as well as other factors, so it is important to confirm that you are eligible for services.

Your case manager may be able to intervene if you have received an eviction notice. Often a financial hardship that is temporary in nature may qualify you for money towards back rent so that you can catch up on your payments. If you have already been evicted, you could receive aid to help you rent a new apartment.

Rental delinquency can be cured if your hardship is temporary in nature. Your case manager can communicate the merits of your case with your landlord on your behalf and find a mutually agreeable solution. The agency can provide the cash to help convince the landlord to allow you to stay in your current rental.

In addition to the extensive rental assistance program, the agency also provides several other forms of aid. These can include special loan/grants to help you purchase a car to get to work, utility payments and even free credit reports to begin your credit repair process. For more information, contact a case manager at 201-968-0200, extension 7041.