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Federally Assisted Housing Programs
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will provide funding to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development to make significant improvements to public housing units and investments for a range of HUD programs. These grants will help provide low-income elderly persons with the opportunity to live independently in an environment that provides the services they need. The programs will deal primarily with rental housing and rental assistance programs. Some of HUD's housing developments are exclusively for the elderly and the handicapped while, in others the elderly are eligible tenants along with other groups. To qualify, an individual's income generally must be within certain limits. Most federally assisted housing provided to the elderly is funded under two programs, known popularly as "Section 8" and "Section 202."
Section 8 - The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program was created to help very low‑income persons of all ages secure decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private rental market by helping to pay a portion of the monthly rent. Income limits are determined by family size and geographic area. Participants usually pay no more than 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income for rent. The program pays the balance of the rent to the landlord. The rent must be reasonable.
Persons age 60 and older should call the New Jersey toll-free number 1-877-222-3737 to obtain the address and telephone number of the county agency that administers the Section 8 program. This program is funded by HUD and administered in NJ by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources, PO Box 051, Trenton, NJ 08625‑0051 telephone 609-292-4080. For other HUD related information please call HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visit their website www.hud.gov.
Section 202 - The Section 202 program provides direct, low‑interest loans to non‑profit sponsors to finance the construction or rehabilitation of residential projects and related facilities for those 62 or older and individuals with disabilities. Section 202 is now only applicable to those Housing Authorities with approved conversion plans that are still in the process of implementation.
Section 202 Conversion - is the conversion of public housing residents to Section 8. If it costs less to give the residents a Section 8 voucher, rather than maintain the low rent public housing building under Annual Contributions Contract (ACC), the building is shut down and the residents are provided Section 8.
Persons age 60 and older should call the New Jersey toll-free number 1-877-222-3737 to obtain the address and telephone number of the county agency that administers housing program. These programs are funded by HUD and administered in NJ by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources,PO Box 051, Trenton, NJ 08625‑0051 telephone 609-292-4080. For other HUD related information please call HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visit their website www.hud.gov.
Reverse Mortgage - A reverse mortgage
is a special type of mortgage that allows seniors to access the
equity in their home. The homeowner can convert the equity in the
home into cash. Unlike a traditional home equity loan or second
mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrowers no longer
use the home as their principal residence. To be eligible for a
HUD reverse mortgage: a homeowner must be 62 years of age or older;
have a very low outstanding mortgage balance or own your home free;
and meet with a HUD-approved counseling agency--to make sure they
understand what a HUD Reverse Mortgage means. This program is insured
by the Federal Housing Administration (HUD). For information, call 1-800-792-8820 or write the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Aging and Community Services, PO Box 807, Trenton, NJ 08625-0807. Information is also available by calling toll-free the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency at 1-800-NJ-HOUSE (1-800-654-6873) or call AARP Reverse Mortgage Education Program at 1-800-209-8085.
The Senior Housing Information Center - The Senior Housing Information Center provides program options and HUD sponsored technical assistance to public housing authorities (PHA's) that may have an interest in modernizing or constructing elderly public housing. The agency will assist very-low income elderly public housing residents to age in place and avoid unnecessary institutionalization. The Senior Housing Information Center answers inquiries from PHA's and link them with the appropriate supportive services to sustain service-enriched elderly housing.
For further information about Elderly Housing please call 1-800-955-2232 or visit website www.hud.gov/pihforseniors.
Homeless/Homeless Prevention - For
meeting the housing needs of the homeless and the potential homeless,
HUD along with many other federal agencies fund programs to help.
Homeless assistance agencies provide a range of services including
shelter, food, counseling and job skills. Awards are granted to
state and local agencies, which - in turn - provide the actual services.
To learn more about homeless and homeless prevention services contact the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing, PO Box 0806, Trenton, NJ 08625-0806, telephone toll-free 1-866-889-6270 or 609-633-6204.
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Other Federal Housing Assistance
The federal Rural Economic and Community
Development Program (formerly Farmers Home Administration) operates
a limited program of home renovation and repairs for persons living
in non-urban areas. It also provides loans to finance homes and
building sites. For low-income homeowners age 62 or older, the program
offers grants for home improvement as well as loans, or a combination
of the two. Further information on assistance is available from
any designated county office.
For the address of the nearest office, consult the telephone directory,
or contact the State Office of Rural Economic and Community Development,
5th Floor North, Suite 500, 8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ
08054, telephone 856-787-7700, fax 856-787-7783, TDD 856-787-7784, web address www.rurdev.usda.gov/nj.
Public Housing - Public housing is
low-income housing that is operated by your local housing authority.
Local Public Housing programs receive federal aid for housing lower-income
families. Tenants pay rent according to the same formula used for
Section 8 housing. Public housing includes the elderly.
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Housing Information
Program Availability, Assistance
- For information on the availability of any of the above housing
programs in your area, please contact the designated agency or your
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for direction to the appropriate contact
point. The AAA will also be able to provide referrals for home improvement
and weatherization programs.
Housing Lists - For lists of subsidized
housing or other lists of housing options for older persons telephone
toll-free (within NJ), NJ Senior Citizens Information & Referral
Assistance, 1-800-792-8820 or 609-943-3437, or write to the Division
of Aging and Community Services, NJ Department of Health and Senior
Services, PO Box 807, Trenton, NJ 08625-0807, Attention: Senior Housing or visit website www.njhousing.gov.
Pet Ownership - Residents of federally
assisted rental housing designed specifically for the elderly are
allowed to keep pets, subject to certain regulations, and may not
be discriminated against because of pet ownership. Residents who
refuse to comply with the rules and regulations and properly care
for the animals may be denied these rights.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
There are now two important utility assistance programs available to eligible households, The New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF) and The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - (LIHEAP). LIHEAP funds can
also be used for energy crisis intervention and low cost residential
weatherization and other energy related home repairs. Applications
are accepted beginning on November 1 and ending on March 31 for
both heating and cooling assistance costs. To be eligible, the applying
household must be a resident of New Jersey, pay its own heating
and/or cooling cost directly to the fuel supplier, pay its landlord
according to usage, or pay a rental charge which includes such costs;
and must meet income eligibility requirements. Payments vary according
to an applicant's income, household size, fuel type, and heating
region.
NOTE: Income guidelines for each program year are issued in late
October.
There are four types of LIHEAP payments:
- Automatic payments to eligible Food Stamp recipients
- Special Energy Assistance to eligible households who apply
for assistance
- Emergency Energy Assistance
- Medically Necessary Cooling Assistance
Persons applying for LIHEAP should present: Social Security card;
driver's license or birth certificate; proof of residence; current
fuel/utility bill showing account number and the name, address,
telephone number of the dealer; proof of earnings, and any other
requested documentation.
Renters who pay their share of the heat must present a copy of the
lease or an affidavit from the landlord. Persons who live in public
housing and/or receive rental assistance are not eligible unless
they pay their own heating or cooling costs directly to the fuel
suppliers.
Submission of Applications - Applications for LIHEAP are available at subgrantee outreach centers. You apply for two energy assistance programs at the same time. Benefits are subject to
availability of federal funds. For further information on applications
and eligibility, call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-510-3102.
Funding, Administration - Information on the New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF) program can be found in our on-line publication Statewide Benefits for Older Persons. LIHEAP agencies may require that
low-income households meet additional criteria to be eligible to
receive LIHEAP assistance. Examples of each criterion include the
use of assets test, type of living situation or receipt of a utility
shut off notice. LIHEAP is a federally funded program, administered
in NJ by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing
and Community Resources, PO Box 806, Trenton, NJ 08625-0806, 1-800-510-3102
with funding provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services
via the NJ Department of Human Services. The Food Stamp automatic
payment portion of the program is administered by the NJ Department
of Human Services.
Information on the Universal Service Fund (USF) can be found in our Statewide Benefits for Older Persons on-line directory.
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Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program is a federal/state grant
program of the US Department of Energy designed to promote energy
conservation work in low-income households. A household income must
fall below 130% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for
the program.
Funds may be used for the following energy conservation measures:
- Caulking, weather stripping, insulation of doors/windows
- Devices for minimizing energy loss through heating system,
chimney or venting devices
- Ceiling, attic, wall, floor, duct, and water heater insulation
- Heat-absorbing/heat-reflective window/door materials
- Furnace efficiency modifications
After improvements are made, you should notice the following:
- An increase in comfort - no drafts and an even temperature
throughout your home
- Your heating and cooling bill should be reduced
- You should need less energy to heat and cool your home
In NJ, the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing
and Community Resources (see LIHEAP) administer the Weatherization
Program, which in turn awards grants to local agencies. These local
agencies accept applications and determine eligibility. Older persons
wanting further information on eligibility requirements, limits
of assistance, and whether or not funds remain available, should
contact their Area Agency on Aging for direction to the designated
local agency or call the Weatherization Program at 609-292-6140.
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