The City of Newark has partnered with the Newark Housing Authority to provide residents with rental assistance support, under the City of Newark’s Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program. The grant is funded through a $1 million dollar allocation in local trust and Federal funds.
“These are trying times, which have placed unexpected financial pressure on Newark renters and their families,” Mayor Ras J. Baraka said. “In an effort to support our City’s most vulnerable residents, we have committed these much needed rental assistance funds to families financially impacted by COVID-19.”
According to the Mayor's office, the grant aims to help Newark residents who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The emergency fund will provide up to $1,000 to qualifying residents who fall under the 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
Prior to the June 1 deadline, over 2,400 families have successfully completed the application, which would assist with housing costs by covering a portion of the rent owed for the past three months.
“We have a firm commitment to the economic well-being of our community; and a pandemic does not change that,” Mayor Baraka said.
As of this week, the Housing Authority has approved 400 grants for a total of $265,000 in rental assistance. The agency expects to allocate the remaining rental assistance funds before the end of June.