Norwescap Homelessness Prevention Program provides temporary financial assistance, counseling, and other services to prevent families and individuals, residing in Somerset County, from losing their homes or becoming homeless due to lack of funds and reasons beyond their control. Temporary aid offers clients assistance when needed most. Clients, who qualify for aid, are counseled in effective budgeting and guided in documenting and reporting their housing expenses after assistance concludes. This once in a lifetime assistance program cannot aid applicants who have a housing subsidy of 30% of their income or live in an “affordable housing unit”.
Clients eligible for TANF, GA, and SSI should contact their county Board of Social Services directly.
Rental and Housing assistance offered:
RENT ARREARS– Assistance is provided in a form of a grant and check is made out to landlord. Maximum of 3 months back rent, 3 months late fees, court filing fees and attorney fees, if program assistance would put tenant at $0 balance.
RELOCATION- Security Deposit (up to 1 ½ months) and First month’s rent if have a Warrant of Removal with lock out date within the last six months and need to move to a less expensive residence.
SECURITY DEPOSIT ONLY– First time recipients of Section 8 voucher, Head of Household permanently disabled and never assisted by Norwescap Homeless Prevention Program funding.
Basic eligibility requirements:
- Must have a court eviction summons with a docket # and a court date to demonstrate imminent danger of homelessness and have resided in their rental unit at least four months having paid the Sec Dep and first three months on their own.
- Applicants facing eviction have to prove No Fault of their own as the reason for inability to pay their rent: o Loss of employment (client must have applied for Unemployment compensation and been found eligible from date of claim without penalties).
- Medical emergency/ disability due to sudden illness or injury within the last 6 months.
- Loss/ delay in benefits.
- Natural disaster. Must be documented by third party such as Red Cross, fire marshal or police report. Report must include the name of Head of Household and all family members.
- rime (reported to police at time of the occurrence).
- Victims of Domestic Violence must have a final restraining order and letter of referral from Domestic Violence agency overseeing the case.
- Substantial and permanent change in household—proof that person who moved was listed on lease and where they are currently living.
- Unexpected/ unusual expense – it should EQUAL the amount of the unpaid rent according to eviction summons, example Car Repairs to replace or repair engine or transmission.
- If homeless or doubled up with friends, client will have to prove eviction within the past 6 months and place of residence since eviction. Acceptable proof includes, copy of Warrant of Removal, Hotel receipts, Transition Housing, etc.
For more information or to receive an application please contact:
Sara Sokoloski
Norwescap Homelessness Prevention Program
350 Marshall St Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865
908-454-7000 ext. 118 Fax 908-454-3768
Additional Resources: