On this page as of June 25, 2021:
The N.J. Department of Community Affairs: The NJ COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II (CVERAP Phase II) opened on March 21, 2021 to provide rental arrears and temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due, directly, or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nan McKay & Associates has been authorized by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to assist in the administration of CVERAP Phase II and to communicate with applicants and landlords. Website for DCA, click: https://www.nj.gov/dca/cverap2.shtml . Also, for a simpler description of eligibility requirements, application procedures, deadlines, click the following to see DCA’s “Frequently asked Questions” https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/docs/FAQs_CVERAP.pdf including the roles of residential tenants’ and landlords’ in this process.
Contact: If you have questions, contact: COVID.Rental.Assistance@dca.nj.gov or call: 609-490-4550.
County of Essex COVID-19 Rental and Utility Assistance (program started on 05/2021):
“ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES $15.4 MILLION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH 2021 ESSEX COUNTY EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM”. Click link for full article: https://essexcountynj.org/essex-county-executive-divincenzo-announces-15-4-million-is-available-through-2021-essex-county-emergency-rental-assistance-program/ Summary: Essex County announced that it will be accepting applications for the 2021 Essex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will be accepted beginning on May 13 2021. There is $15.4 million available to be awarded. Renters and landlords who have been negatively impacted during the Coronavirus pandemic and need help to pay rent or utility bills can apply for funding. Online applications are available at: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/ERAP-ESSEXCOUNTYNJ/Participant . Awards of assistance will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.
[Should the County of Essex run out of funds, you can track if more will be available in the future by going to the website of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition: https://nlihc.org/rental-assistance . [Click “Table” and scroll-down to “NJ” and look for “Essex Co.”]
LIST OF NON-LEGAL & LEGAL RESOURCES RELATED TO COVID-19:
Check out Legal Services of N.J.’s (LSNJ) the new and improved LSNJLAW℠ Hotline online intake at www.lsnjlawhotline.org . LSNJ’s legal hotline provides telephone advice, information, and referrals to low-income people in civil legal matters. The application process takes less than ten minutes to complete, and once you complete and submit the application, we will contact you within two business days. In addition, LSNJ provides a variety of legal and non-legal assistance resources online: https://www.lsnjlaw.org/Health-Care/Coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx . [Including: housing – evictions and foreclosures; consumer, credit and debt issues; family and relationships; jobs and employment; health; discrimination; schools and learning; military and veterans; taxes; Social Security Disability/SSI; Social Security; government aid and services; utilities, etc.] See also, “211 NJ”. https://www.nj211.org/covid-19-housing-assistance?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3duCBhCAARIsAJeFyPVINRFmZq-mG2CVBOKJwZw_uT4jNftuY62IMN_BVDOxvNcmEW29q68aAq9sEALw_wcB . ]
The following links for “what you need to know” are located at the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest at https://www.lowenstein.com/pro-bono/covid-19-response/housing [Check there for periodic updates after the dates listed below.]
COVID-19: RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS and UTILITIES: WHAT TENANTS NEED TO KNOW – 05/14/2021 https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6815/residential-evictions-what-tenants-need-to-know-51421.pdf
[The state eviction moratorium, which ends on January 1, 2022–unless extended–does not affect what rent is due. Tenants still owe the rent. The moratorium also does not stop court proceedings; instead, it prevents lockouts and removals. The N.J. Supreme Court controls court proceedings related to eviction. More information is provided on procedures in this link. Also, see other parts of this STA “Around the Community” website for sources of financial assistance and pending bills S3866/A5820 in the N.J. legislature (below) which are designed to protect vulnerable tenants.] [See also, description of the N.J. DCA rental assistance program above: https://www.nj.gov/dca/cverap2.shtml ]
Residential Evictions and Utilities: What Tenants Need to Know (Spanish) – 05/14/2021 https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6825/residential-evictions-what-tenants-need-to-know-spanish-51421.pdf
[See also, description of the N.J. DCA rental assistance program above: https://www.nj.gov/dca/cverap2.shtml ]
COVID-19: RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS: WHAT HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW 05/14/2021
https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6816/residential-evictions-what-homeowners-need-to-know-51421.pdf
Residential Evictions: What Homeowners Need to Know (Spanish) – 05/14/2021
https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6832/residential-evictions-what-homeowners-need-to-know-spanish-52721.pdf
Energy/Utility Assistance: Low-Income renters and homeowner eligible households that are having a difficulty paying their heating and cooling bills can contact this office for financial assistance and help in weatherizing their homes. To apply, click https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html or call 1-800-510-3102.
With customers owing millions in back payments, NJ extends ban on utility shut-offs, by Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight News (June 10, 2021) [The moratorium on shut-offs of utility customers was one of several orders extended to Jan. 1 by the new law.][Article: “consumer advocates and environmentalists, is hoping the more than $6 billion available in federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan can be tapped to help customers pay off those arrearages. So far, discussions have focused on expanding existing assistance programs as well as increasing income thresholds to allow middle-income customers to take advantage of the programs.”] See, https://www.njspotlight.com/2021/06/nj-extends-moratorium-utility-shut-offs-six-months-allow-officials-more-time-help-customers/
Homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages facing foreclose: take immediate action by June 30, 2021
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting outreach to key partners and stakeholders to assist FHA borrowers that may be in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Homeowners who are behind on their FHA-insured mortgage payments can take steps to save their homes, but they must take action now. Currently, there are well over 300,000 FHA borrowers nationally who are at least 90-days delinquent on their mortgage. HUD is asking for your assistance to communicate an available COVID-19 forbearance extension option to delinquent borrowers. In New Jersey, households with existing FHA loans in forbearance are at historic highs that range from 14.14% in Essex County.
This relief will only be available until June 30, 2021. Attached and below you will find flyers and information to provide struggling FHA homeowners with effective information to possibly prevent them from losing their homes.
For FHA-INSURED HOMEOWNERS: Information on Forbearance for Homeowners – Go to: https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus/homeowners#forbearance (see chart for where you fit).
If you have a mortgage that is insured by FHA and you are unable to make your mortgage payment because of COVID-19, you’re eligible for FHA’s COVID-19 Forbearance.
•If you are behind or about to be behind on your mortgage payments because of COVID-19 and you have not yet requested a forbearance from your servicer, you can request up to 6 months of forbearance initially, and an additional 6 months if you need it. You must request this assistance from your mortgage servicer by June 30, 2021.
•If you are already on forbearance, started your forbearance period on or before June 30, 2020, and now need more time, then After 12 months of COVID-19 forbearance, you are eligible for up to two additional 3-month extensions from your mortgage servicer.
CONTACT INFORMATION AT HUD or contact a legal services office: HUD wants to make a difference in the lives of homeowners reeling from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any New Jersey resident can submit HUD-related inquiries at NJ_webmanager@hud.gov or call and leave a message at (973) 776-7200.
PENDING BILLS IN N.J. LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE HOUSING PROTECTIONS & ASSISTANCE TO COVID VICTIMS
Tenants and the COVID pandemic: State legislation needed to prevent eviction while helping tenants pay their current rent going forward and helping landlords get some of the back rent they lost. In March of 2020, the Governor shut down the economy and stopped courts and landlords from evicting tenants. The Governor has extended the official public health emergency several times, most recently through Executive Order which will expire on January 1, 2022. Around 400,000 tenant households will be behind in their rent due to the job losses and other expenses cause by the virus and the economic shut down. (See needs in NJ for affordable rental housing before the COVID-19 pandemic at https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by-state/new-jersey ). Our state has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic with massive loss of life and economic devastation, particularly for people of color. Through no fault of their own renters, homeowners, and landlords have faced significant income shortfalls. On June 22, 2021, the N.J. Legislature passed bills: (1) preventing eviction by certain dates (2) changing the way courts deal with evictions; (3) helping landlords get a good part of the unpaid back rent they lost; (4) helping tenants pay their regular rent after the moratorium ends until the jobs return and they are back on their feet; and (5) assisting with assistance to avoid utility shut-offs. Over 30 public interest entities, including the Affordable Housing Task Force, Commission on Peace and Justice of the Archdiocese of Newark, have sent a letters to the governor and leaders in the N.J. legislature in support of the following bills.
The following bills have been sent to Governor Murphy to be signed into law:
Pending Bills that have gone to the Governor: S3196/A5685 (tenant protections & rental assistance); S3669/A5684 (protections for homeowners facing foreclosure); & S3955 “Rental Assistance Navigation Program”:
HOW TO CONTACT THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT THESE BILLS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE:
https://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/all/
- NJ State COVID-19 Program for rental assistance (new) started Mar. 22, 2021
- County of Essex will also offer COVID-19 rental and utility assistance (new) started on May 13, 2021
- List of Non-Legal & Legal Resources Related to COVID-19
- COVID-19: RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS and UTILITIES: WHAT TENANTS NEED TO KNOW
- COVID-19: RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS and UTILITIES: WHAT HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW
- Energy/Utility Assistance (plus, moratorium on shut-offs)
- Homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages facing foreclose: take immediate action by June 30, 2021 – see below on what to do.
- Pending State Legislation to prevent evictions, provide rental assistance and assist homeowners facing foreclosure – your action needed: contact Governor
The N.J. Department of Community Affairs: The NJ COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II (CVERAP Phase II) opened on March 21, 2021 to provide rental arrears and temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due, directly, or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nan McKay & Associates has been authorized by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to assist in the administration of CVERAP Phase II and to communicate with applicants and landlords. Website for DCA, click: https://www.nj.gov/dca/cverap2.shtml . Also, for a simpler description of eligibility requirements, application procedures, deadlines, click the following to see DCA’s “Frequently asked Questions” https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/docs/FAQs_CVERAP.pdf including the roles of residential tenants’ and landlords’ in this process.
Contact: If you have questions, contact: COVID.Rental.Assistance@dca.nj.gov or call: 609-490-4550.
County of Essex COVID-19 Rental and Utility Assistance (program started on 05/2021):
“ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES $15.4 MILLION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH 2021 ESSEX COUNTY EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM”. Click link for full article: https://essexcountynj.org/essex-county-executive-divincenzo-announces-15-4-million-is-available-through-2021-essex-county-emergency-rental-assistance-program/ Summary: Essex County announced that it will be accepting applications for the 2021 Essex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will be accepted beginning on May 13 2021. There is $15.4 million available to be awarded. Renters and landlords who have been negatively impacted during the Coronavirus pandemic and need help to pay rent or utility bills can apply for funding. Online applications are available at: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/ERAP-ESSEXCOUNTYNJ/Participant . Awards of assistance will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.
[Should the County of Essex run out of funds, you can track if more will be available in the future by going to the website of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition: https://nlihc.org/rental-assistance . [Click “Table” and scroll-down to “NJ” and look for “Essex Co.”]
LIST OF NON-LEGAL & LEGAL RESOURCES RELATED TO COVID-19:
Check out Legal Services of N.J.’s (LSNJ) the new and improved LSNJLAW℠ Hotline online intake at www.lsnjlawhotline.org . LSNJ’s legal hotline provides telephone advice, information, and referrals to low-income people in civil legal matters. The application process takes less than ten minutes to complete, and once you complete and submit the application, we will contact you within two business days. In addition, LSNJ provides a variety of legal and non-legal assistance resources online: https://www.lsnjlaw.org/Health-Care/Coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx . [Including: housing – evictions and foreclosures; consumer, credit and debt issues; family and relationships; jobs and employment; health; discrimination; schools and learning; military and veterans; taxes; Social Security Disability/SSI; Social Security; government aid and services; utilities, etc.] See also, “211 NJ”. https://www.nj211.org/covid-19-housing-assistance?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3duCBhCAARIsAJeFyPVINRFmZq-mG2CVBOKJwZw_uT4jNftuY62IMN_BVDOxvNcmEW29q68aAq9sEALw_wcB . ]
The following links for “what you need to know” are located at the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest at https://www.lowenstein.com/pro-bono/covid-19-response/housing [Check there for periodic updates after the dates listed below.]
COVID-19: RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS and UTILITIES: WHAT TENANTS NEED TO KNOW – 05/14/2021 https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6815/residential-evictions-what-tenants-need-to-know-51421.pdf
[The state eviction moratorium, which ends on January 1, 2022–unless extended–does not affect what rent is due. Tenants still owe the rent. The moratorium also does not stop court proceedings; instead, it prevents lockouts and removals. The N.J. Supreme Court controls court proceedings related to eviction. More information is provided on procedures in this link. Also, see other parts of this STA “Around the Community” website for sources of financial assistance and pending bills S3866/A5820 in the N.J. legislature (below) which are designed to protect vulnerable tenants.] [See also, description of the N.J. DCA rental assistance program above: https://www.nj.gov/dca/cverap2.shtml ]
Residential Evictions and Utilities: What Tenants Need to Know (Spanish) – 05/14/2021 https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6825/residential-evictions-what-tenants-need-to-know-spanish-51421.pdf
[See also, description of the N.J. DCA rental assistance program above: https://www.nj.gov/dca/cverap2.shtml ]
COVID-19: RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS: WHAT HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW 05/14/2021
https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6816/residential-evictions-what-homeowners-need-to-know-51421.pdf
Residential Evictions: What Homeowners Need to Know (Spanish) – 05/14/2021
https://www.lowenstein.com/media/6832/residential-evictions-what-homeowners-need-to-know-spanish-52721.pdf
Energy/Utility Assistance: Low-Income renters and homeowner eligible households that are having a difficulty paying their heating and cooling bills can contact this office for financial assistance and help in weatherizing their homes. To apply, click https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html or call 1-800-510-3102.
With customers owing millions in back payments, NJ extends ban on utility shut-offs, by Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight News (June 10, 2021) [The moratorium on shut-offs of utility customers was one of several orders extended to Jan. 1 by the new law.][Article: “consumer advocates and environmentalists, is hoping the more than $6 billion available in federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan can be tapped to help customers pay off those arrearages. So far, discussions have focused on expanding existing assistance programs as well as increasing income thresholds to allow middle-income customers to take advantage of the programs.”] See, https://www.njspotlight.com/2021/06/nj-extends-moratorium-utility-shut-offs-six-months-allow-officials-more-time-help-customers/
Homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages facing foreclose: take immediate action by June 30, 2021
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting outreach to key partners and stakeholders to assist FHA borrowers that may be in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Homeowners who are behind on their FHA-insured mortgage payments can take steps to save their homes, but they must take action now. Currently, there are well over 300,000 FHA borrowers nationally who are at least 90-days delinquent on their mortgage. HUD is asking for your assistance to communicate an available COVID-19 forbearance extension option to delinquent borrowers. In New Jersey, households with existing FHA loans in forbearance are at historic highs that range from 14.14% in Essex County.
This relief will only be available until June 30, 2021. Attached and below you will find flyers and information to provide struggling FHA homeowners with effective information to possibly prevent them from losing their homes.
For FHA-INSURED HOMEOWNERS: Information on Forbearance for Homeowners – Go to: https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus/homeowners#forbearance (see chart for where you fit).
If you have a mortgage that is insured by FHA and you are unable to make your mortgage payment because of COVID-19, you’re eligible for FHA’s COVID-19 Forbearance.
•If you are behind or about to be behind on your mortgage payments because of COVID-19 and you have not yet requested a forbearance from your servicer, you can request up to 6 months of forbearance initially, and an additional 6 months if you need it. You must request this assistance from your mortgage servicer by June 30, 2021.
•If you are already on forbearance, started your forbearance period on or before June 30, 2020, and now need more time, then After 12 months of COVID-19 forbearance, you are eligible for up to two additional 3-month extensions from your mortgage servicer.
CONTACT INFORMATION AT HUD or contact a legal services office: HUD wants to make a difference in the lives of homeowners reeling from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any New Jersey resident can submit HUD-related inquiries at NJ_webmanager@hud.gov or call and leave a message at (973) 776-7200.
PENDING BILLS IN N.J. LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE HOUSING PROTECTIONS & ASSISTANCE TO COVID VICTIMS
Tenants and the COVID pandemic: State legislation needed to prevent eviction while helping tenants pay their current rent going forward and helping landlords get some of the back rent they lost. In March of 2020, the Governor shut down the economy and stopped courts and landlords from evicting tenants. The Governor has extended the official public health emergency several times, most recently through Executive Order which will expire on January 1, 2022. Around 400,000 tenant households will be behind in their rent due to the job losses and other expenses cause by the virus and the economic shut down. (See needs in NJ for affordable rental housing before the COVID-19 pandemic at https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by-state/new-jersey ). Our state has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic with massive loss of life and economic devastation, particularly for people of color. Through no fault of their own renters, homeowners, and landlords have faced significant income shortfalls. On June 22, 2021, the N.J. Legislature passed bills: (1) preventing eviction by certain dates (2) changing the way courts deal with evictions; (3) helping landlords get a good part of the unpaid back rent they lost; (4) helping tenants pay their regular rent after the moratorium ends until the jobs return and they are back on their feet; and (5) assisting with assistance to avoid utility shut-offs. Over 30 public interest entities, including the Affordable Housing Task Force, Commission on Peace and Justice of the Archdiocese of Newark, have sent a letters to the governor and leaders in the N.J. legislature in support of the following bills.
The following bills have been sent to Governor Murphy to be signed into law:
Pending Bills that have gone to the Governor: S3196/A5685 (tenant protections & rental assistance); S3669/A5684 (protections for homeowners facing foreclosure); & S3955 “Rental Assistance Navigation Program”:
- S3691/A5685 addresses protections for renters and landlords. (Passed full Senate & Assembly on 06/22/2021) https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/A9999/5685_S1.PDF (See “Statement” on protections)
- S3669/A5684 addresses protections for homeowners (Passed full Senate & Assembly 06/22/2021) https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/A9999/5684_S2.PDF (See “Statement” on protections)
- S3955 “Rental Assistance Navigation Program” in NJ DCA – https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S4000/3955_R1.PDF (See description of protections)
HOW TO CONTACT THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT THESE BILLS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE:
https://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/all/
NEWS RELEASE
TO: Diocesan Pro-Life Directors, State Catholic Conference Directors
FROM: USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
DATE: December 14, 2020
RE: U.S. Bishop Chairmen for Pro-Life and Doctrine Address Ethical Concerns on the New COVID-19 Vaccines
WASHINGTON– On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. In their statement, the bishops address the moral concerns raised by the fact that the three vaccines that appear to be ready for distribution in the United States all have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.
With regard to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they concluded:
“In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines.”
“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.”
With regard to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the bishops found it to be “more morally compromised” and consequently concluded that this vaccine “should be avoided” if there are alternatives available. “It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others,” the bishop chairmen stated. “In such a case … it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
At the same time, the bishops also warned that Catholics “must be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use of fetal cells in research.”
The full statement from the bishop chairmen may be found at
https://www.usccb.org/moral-considerations-covid-vaccines.
