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COVID-19 Emergency Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program

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1. Am I eligible for the program if I already receive a rental subsidy?

No, households that currently receive HUD or VA rental subsidies are not eligible to receive rental assistance through this program.

2. When can I apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program?

Online applications will be accepted from October 30, 2020, through November 13, 2020 11:59 pm EST.

3. I do not have internet access. How can I submit an application?

Please contact the Division of Community Relations & Social Services for assistance with applying for the program. 

218 North Broad Street

Trenton, NJ 08618

(609) 989-3303

(609) 989-3336

(609) 775-5621

4. I have never used ZoomGrants before, how do I get started?

Visit http://help.zoomgrants.com/index.php/zgu/completing-the-application/ for detailed instructions.

5. Do I need an email address to apply? What if I do not have an email address?

Yes, an email address is required to apply for this program. If you do not have a valid email address, you will need to create one to complete the application. The following are popular, free email providers:

Gmail

 Yahoo

6. What devices can I use?

You can access Zoom Grants via any internet-enabled device, including computers, tablets, and phones. A printer may also be handy if you’d like to print saved PDF copies of your application and any post-decision reports or invoices that you are required to submit (if applicable).

Depending on the specific requirements set up in each opportunity, you may also need access to a scanner.

7. How do I save my application?

ZoomGrants will save your progress automatically via an auto-save feature that triggers as soon as you click outside of a field. For example, if you’re finished with a text response and you mouse into the next text box, you’ll see a brief flash of a saving screen.

8. Can I invite others to work on my application?

You sure can! If you share your login credentials with other folks, they can also log into your account and work on your application directly and can even use your account to submit the application on your behalf.

9. What should I do if I have issues submitting my application?

ZoomGrants will not allow you to submit an application if required information is missing. For technical issues completing or submitting your application, please contact ZoomGrants.

10. What should I do if I want to change my submitted application?

You can make changes to your application until the application deadline November 18, 2020 11:59 PM EST.

11. What is a hardship that is directly related to COVID-19?

Examples of COVID-19-related hardships include:

• Loss of income due to reduction of paid work hours due to COVID-19 (examples: laid off, loss of hours, income reduction, etc.);
• Loss of income due to sickness with COVID-19 or caring for a household/family member who is/was sick with COVID-19;
• Loss of income due to compliance with a recommendation from a government health authority to stay home, self-quarantine, or avoid congregating with others during the state of emergency;
• Loss of income due to other factors resulting from the COVID-19 emergency;

12. What kind of documentation will I need to submit if my application is approved?

The following documents will be required, including but not limited to:

• First Page of 2019 tax return. (Tenant)
• Housing Assistance Agreement (3 Party Agreement with City of Trenton, Tenant and Landlord)
• Duplication of Benefits Affidavit/Agreement (Tenant)
• Photo identification for all adult members of the household (Tenant)
• Self-Certification of income for each adult member of the household (Tenant)
• Affidavit confirming loss of income due to COVID-19 (Tenant)
• Notice of Current Rent balance for Tenant (Landlord)
• IRS W9 (Landlord)

13. How will applications be selected?

All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will have the opportunity to be selected to receive assistance. 150 applicants will be randomly selected for assistance.  Selected applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection via the application portal.

14. Will there be a waiting list?

No. Once all the funds are exhausted the City will retire the applicant list.

15. How much rent relief can I receive?

The program will provide a one-time payment of up to $3,000 per qualifying household to help pay past-due and/or upcoming rent. Utility assistance may be provided with an application for rent assistance only. No assistance will be provided after December 30, 2020.

16. Can I apply for Utility assistance only?

No.  Utility assistance will only be provided in conjunction with rent assistance, subject to the availability of funds.

17. How often can I apply?

Only one application per property address will be accepted.  If awarded you are ineligible to apply for future funding under the same funding source. This is a one-time benefit to assist low-income renters in the City of Trenton who experience financial hardship due to COVID-19.

18. When will payments be made?

Payments will be made starting in late-November, through December 30, 2020.

19. When will I hear about the status of my application?

The decision whether an application is approved or denied will be sent in late November through December. You may also check the status of your application throughout the process by logging into the COVID-19 Emergency Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program Application portal via ZoomGrants.

20. What are some examples of why an application would be rejected?

A denial could result from the following (this is not a complete list):

• Incomplete application
• Missing required documentation
• Income exceeding program limits
• Not demonstrating relationship to COVID-19
• Not demonstrating reduction of income
• Property failing inspections
• Property having open code violations
• Landlord not current on taxes
• Landlord rejecting terms of agreement

21. Will the rental assistance money be paid directly to me?

No, the funds will be paid directly to your landlord or property management company to be credited to your account.

22. Will my property be inspected?

Yes.  City of Trenton Housing Inspectors will inspect each unit for HUD’s Housing Quality Standards. The City reserves the right to conduct virtual inspections. The City reserves the right to not inspect the unit. The City reserves the right to waive the inspection on properties that have received a Certificate of Occupancy within 180 days of the application.

Please complete the Unit Condition Checklist and submit with your application.

All properties with children under the age of 6 years old will be inspected for defective paint consistent with the requirements of 24 CFR Part 35, subpart M.  

23. Should I tell my landlord that I am applying?

Yes, communication between renters and landlords is important to help make the payment quickly if the renter is approved to receive rental assistance. You will also need to provide your landlord’s phone number, mailing address and email address in your application.

24. How will my landlord be contacted?

When you complete your application online you will need to provide contact information for your landlord. Your landlord’s email address is preferred. A secondary option is your landlord’s telephone number. Please be proactive and contact your landlord, tell them about the program, ask for their email address, and let them know that is how they will be contacted if your application is approved.

25. What if I do not know my landlord’s email address?

You will have the option of listing your landlord’s email and/or telephone number. We encourage you to be proactive and contact your landlord, tell them about the program, ask for their email address, and let them know they will be contacted if your application is approved. The landlord’s email address will help expedite their verification and payment information if your application is selected.

26. What if my landlord refuses to participate or does not accept the funds?

Your landlord cannot be forced to participate in the program or to accept funds. The City of Trenton cannot provide this payment to the landlord unless they submit the necessary forms. If a landlord declines to accept the funds, the tenant’s application will be denied.

However, HED has partnerships with organizations that can assist tenants and landlords if any landlord/tenant issues or disputes arise to keep renters housed. Services will include education regarding applicable landlord/tenant law and conciliation and mediation services.

Central Jersey Legal Services
198 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609) 695-6249
Fax: (609) 392-7952
https://www.lsnj.org/cjls/index.htm 

Community Health Law Project
225 East State Street, Suite 5
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609) 392-5553
Fax/TTY: (609) 392-5369
E-mail: Trenton@chlp.org
Website: http://www.chlp.org/

27. What do I do if my landlord wants to evict me?

On March 19, 2020 New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy issued Executive Order 106, which immediately suspends evictions throughout the state. This is called an “eviction moratorium,” and means that no tenant may be removed from his or her home as a result of an eviction proceeding, with rare exceptions for cases such as when a tenant is violent or endangering other tenants.

The eviction moratorium does not halt court proceedings; instead, it prevents lockouts and removals. The New Jersey Supreme Court controls court proceedings related to eviction and has suspended all eviction proceedings for now. This means that your landlord cannot take you to court at this time, but they will be able to once the courts reopen.

The eviction moratorium will last until two months after Governor Murphy declares an end to the COVID-19 health crisis, unless the Governor issues another Executive Order to end it sooner. Local officials will then resume removing tenants who are subject to final court orders of eviction.

If your landlord is trying to force you from your home, please:

1. If the removal is imminent, call the police.
2. If the removal is not imminent, please read the Truth in Renting Guide for more information on legal remedies.

NJ Eviction Mortarium Information

HED has partnerships with organizations that can assist tenants and landlords if any landlord/tenant issues or disputes arise in an effort to keep renters housed. Services will include education regarding applicable landlord/tenant law and conciliation and mediation services.

Legal Services

Central Jersey Legal Services
198 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609) 695-6249
Fax: (609) 392-7952
Website: https://www.lsnj.org/cjls/index.htm 

Community Health Law Project
225 East State Street, Suite 5
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609) 392-5553
Fax/TTY: (609) 392-5369
E-mail: Trenton@chlp.org
Website: http://www.chlp.org/

Homelessness Prevention

HomeFront
1880 Princeton Avenue
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 989-9417
https://www.homefrontnj.org/

Arm In Arm
123 East Hanover Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 396-9355
https://arminarm.org/

Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton
132 North Warren Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 394-8847
https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/

Village Resources
200 Mott Street
Trenton, NJ 08753
https://www.villageresourcesnj.org/

City of Trenton Community Relations and Social Services
218 North Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
(609) 989-3303
https://www.trentonnj.org/176/Division-of-Community-Relations-Social-S

28. What if the amount of rental assistance received does not cover the total amount of rent owed?

If $3,000 in assistance will not bring you current with your landlord; you will be required to demonstrate your ability to pay the balance before an approval is provided.

29. Are students eligible for the program?

Students do not qualify for HOME assistance unless the individual meets one of the exemptions below.

Student is:

• not eligible to be claimed as the dependent of any other individual (e.g. was emancipated as a minor, aged out of foster care, etc.).  
• Over age 24
• Veteran of the US Military   
• Married
• Has dependent child(ren)