N.J. announces second round of rental assistance amid ongoing pandemic

Help is on the way for New Jerseyans struggling to make their rent payments.

State officials on Tuesday announced the second phase of the Garden State’s rental assistance program, which is funded with $353 million in federal dollars.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said the effort was aimed at low- and moderate-income renters whose finances took a hit because of COVID-19.

“I think about people whose hours have been cut at their jobs, people whose jobs just shut down totally,” Oliver said. “This program is for people who have been affected in that way.”

Applications for the second phase open on March 22, and eligible renters could get up to 12 months of assistance for missed payments after March 13 of last year. Applicants will be chosen through a randomized lottery system.

The state helped 15,000 households make rent payments during the first phase of the program last year, officials said.