Somerset County Freeholder Brian D. Levine has announced that the guidelines for the Somerset County Rental Assistance Program have been expanded.
The eligibility guidelines now include households where at least one adult is working and one is a disabled or elderly adult or provides care for a dependent child or adult.
“The goal of this program is to help working individuals and families achieve financial stability,” said Freeholder Levine, human services liaison. “It provides critical assistance to residents who may still be struggling due to the lagging economy.”
The Rental Assistance Program provides up to 15 months of rental assistance and monthly case management for eligible residents. The case management is provided by a trained volunteer and is intended to help clients set and achieve goals that promote long-term financial stability.
The program provides a monthly subsidy to pay the difference between household rent and 30 percent of the program participant’s monthly income. The maximum subsidy that can be provided to a household is $300 per month.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they will be able to afford their housing without rental assistance within 15 months. Also, applicants must have a formal lease at a rental rate that is less than the fair-market rent for the unit size, and be within the following maximum income limits:
1 Person - $51,500 2 People - $58,800
3 People - $66,200 4 People - $73,500
5 People - $79,400 6 People - $85,300
In addition, program participants must:
- complete a monthly household budget;
- attend a monthly meeting with the program case manager; and
- be willing to accept case management services that include financial management, employment and/or any other services that are deemed necessary to maintain permanent housing in Somerset County .
Applicants who meet the criteria will be served on a first-come, first-served basis after being screened by the county Community Development Office. For more information, call the office at (908) 541-5756.