I’m looking for a grant for rent in South Amboy, NJ

(Request from Stephen in South Amboy, New Jersey) I’m looking for a grant to pay my rent for April and May, 2014. My rent is $814 a month, my unemployment was cut off and my wife makes $150-200 a week. I hope to be back to work by start of June. I am 61, my wife is 57, we have never been is this situation before. Please help or please refer me to someone who can. Thank you.

Dear Stephen,

I am sorry to hear about your employment troubles. I know that it makes it nearly impossible to pay your monthly bills plus your rent payment when you’ve lost so much of your regular income. Since it sounds like your total monthly income is slightly under your normal rent payment, it appears that you may need a more long-term approach that could include subsidized rent. I am recommending a different approach from the security deposit loan programs (Middlesex County, New Brunswick) that we referred other clients to.

Coming Home

A more appropriate referral may be to Coming Home of Middlesex County. This nonprofit organization is committed to making affordable housing available to lower-income households in South Amboy and Middlesex County. It does not provide direct grants.

Instead the organization focuses on providing cheaper alternatives to regular rent payments. This is not necessarily accomplished through traditional public housing projects either. The organization helps to ensure that local housing developers set aside a certain percentage of each development that is made available for lower income households that might otherwise face homelessness. Rent for these special units is less than what surrounding tenants are charged.

If you would like to be considered for a lower cost apartment, call Coming Home of Middlesex County at 732-296-7954. Be sure to request information about their Homes for the Homeless Program.

New Jersey Housing Resource Center

A state clearinghouse of affordable housing listings is provided by your state government. The New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC) allows you to search for affordable housing in and around South Amboy as well as other parts of Middlesex County or the rest of the state.

There are two ways in which you can locate affordable housing that will meet your needs. First you can call NJHRC at 877-428-8844 to receive information on local rentals that might be more affordable. You may also search for housing using their online screener.

United Way

There are a few possibilities that can help you find a better fit, you may find that United Way can sometimes be the greatest help. Calling 211 can connect you with a caseworker who can make the appropriate referrals so that you are able to obtain the help that you need.

While it may be possible to connect you with an agency that can provide a grant for rent in South Amboy, other possibilities may be more feasible based on your current situation. United Way can link you to the most appropriate partner agency to begin the process. Simply call 211 to get started.

Regardless of which option you begin with, I strongly recommend speaking with a case worker about your entire situation so that they may help with your joblessness as well as your need for rental assistance. They can determine if a grant will be feasible or if you need a more permanent solution such as subsidized rent or a rent-controlled unit.