Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Author: Michael Swayze

  • Housing Choice Voucher Enrollment Begins June 13

    The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Housing and Community Resources (DHCR) will be accepting pre-applications on-line for 10,100 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) in all twenty-one (21) New Jersey Counties. The Enrollment Period is from Monday June 13, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. to Friday June 17, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

    The number of pre-applications being accepted by County are:
    Atlantic – 350; Bergen – 900; Burlington – 500; Camden – 575; Cape May – 200; Cumberland – 275; Essex – 850; Gloucester – 350; Hudson – 725; Hunterdon – 200; Mercer – 450; Middlesex – 825; Monmouth – 650; Morris – 525; Ocean – 625; Passaic – 600; Salem – 175; Somerset – 375; Sussex – 200; Union – 575; Warren – 175.

    Key requirements and information related to the pre-application process:

    • All pre-applications submitted online from June 13, 2016 at 9:00am to June 17, 2016 at 5:00pm will be entered into a database and a lottery system will be used to select pre-applications.
    • Pre-applications for housing assistance will be accepted from very low-income individuals and families based on the income limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    • Applicants must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply, or be an emancipated minor. YOU MUST HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO APPLY.
    • Only one (1) pre-application per household per county will be accepted.
    • Web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer 10 or higher are recommended.
    • The HCV Program is a federally funded program that provides housing subsidies on behalf of low-income persons for decent, safe and sanitary housing. Persons applying must meet all of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) income and eligibility requirements.
    • Maximum Income Limits: Your total household income cannot exceed the limits shown on the income charts for the County in which you are applying. Be sure to use the figure for the size of your household. The chart only goes up to 8 household members. If you have a larger household, please contact DCA at 609-292-2528 for assistance in determining the maximum income limits for
      your household. Click here for Income Limits.
    • If you are disabled and need assistance with submitting your pre-application, please contact DCA at 609-292-4080 and select Option 1 or 8 from the Menu and request a reasonable accommodation.
    • Individuals selected by the lottery will be notified via email which may take several weeks.

    More Information on the Pre-Appliction

    HCV Income Limits

    Link to Apply Beginning on June 13th

    Source: Monarch Housing Associates. Reprinted with permission.

    There are a few other items to keep in mind when making application. First, the pre-application form will only be available online and the applicant must include an email address for notification purposes. No paper applications will be taken. Free email accounts are available from a number of Internet providers. They include, but are not limited to: Gmail, Outlook or Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL Mail, GMX.

    It is recommended you also read the Department of Community Affairs’
    Housing Choice Voucher Program – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

  • LIHEAP Emergency Assistance Extended

    There are additional opportunities to request energy assistance under LIHEAP’s emergency assistance program in New Jersey. Please share the information below with friends, family, partners or networks. A few points of clarification.

    1) Eligible LIHEAP households can request Emergency Assistance until May 31, 2016. The state received a second allocation from the Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $12.6M in April.
    2) Newly granted SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) households who did NOT receive a May 1 LIHEAP benefit have until May 31 to contact their local LIHEAP/USF agency to apply or correct wrong information. Cases will be re-evaluated if they are currently in “pending status”.
    3) Although the LIHEAP season is ending, keep in mind that applications for USF (Universal Service Fund) are available year-round.

    A listing of the local LIHEAP/USF agencies is available online at www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/agencydirectorylist.html.

    Additional information on LIHEAP and other energy assistance programs is available on the NJ Community Resources NJ Energy Assistance Programs webpage.

    The 2-1-1 Partnership can provide information on LIHEAP emergency assistance procedures by calling 2-1-1 or 800-510-3102.

    The extension of the emergency period in New Jersey follows the release by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of an additional $335million in April of which New Jersey received $12,666,956. A press release appears on the LIHEAP Clearinghouse website.

  • NJ Clean Energy Appliance Rebate Program Now Online

    For more than a dozen years New Jersey consumers have been taking advantage of rebates available to them under the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. What better way to acknowledge Earth Day 2016 than to participate in a rebate program for being a conscientious, energy minded consumer?

    Since March 1 consumers have had the ability to make application for the appliance rebate online. The application process is reported to be simple, allowing customers to track the progress of their application and receive their rebates sooner.

    The appliance rebate program applies to ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers , clothes dryers and refrigerators. Rebates vary from $50 to $75 for refrigerators and washers and $100 to $300 for select energy efficient dryers.

    The online application simplifies the process for both the customer and for the program administrator. The customer can verify that the appliance meets the qualifications for the rebate prior to submitting it and no longer needs to mail in the application.

    The online application reduces the turnaround time for customers to receive their rebate.

    New Jersey Clean Energy Program , administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, offers financial incentives, programs and services to New Jersey residents, business owners and local governments to help them save energy, money and the environment. It promotes increased energy efficiency and the use of clean, renewable sources of energy. For more information call 866-NJ-SMART (866-657-6278).

    On a related note, here are a few links with energy savings tips and ideas.

    • ENERGY STAR – a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. You can view their website to identify energy efficient products.
    • New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program energy tips.
    • Energy Saver Guide published by the U.S. Department of Energy.

    Support Earth Day 2016 .