For Immediate Release: May 5, 2022

NEWARK – The ACLU-NJ joined 11 organizations in signing an open letter urging the Legislature to allocate $500 million in rental assistance for low-income families in New Jersey. It is estimated that more than 75,000 households are at risk of eviction now that the eviction moratorium has ended, and rental assistance funds have run out. Potential for further COVID-19 surges makes it that much more important to ensure that New Jerseyans can remain in their homes and landlords can continue their livelihood. The signed-on advocacy groups call on lawmakers to pass legislation that would bolster the Eviction Prevention Program. Read the open letter in full.

The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-NJ Policy Counsel Joe Johnson: 

“At the height of the pandemic, New Jersey put in place significant protections to ensure that the economic consequences of COVID-19 wouldn’t force people from their homes. Now that those measures have run their course, we’re calling on lawmakers to continue funding the Eviction Prevention Program to assist low-income families and their landlords. With further COVID-19 surges a possibility, it’s as important now as ever that New Jerseyans are able to remain in their homes.”

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The ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all since our founding in 1960. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and expand the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice for the people of New Jersey. We are a non-partisan organization that operates across political, legal, and cultural fronts to bring about change and build a more equitable society. www.aclu-nj.org