Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken launch COVID-19 rental assistance and nonprofit support programs

City to distribute over $1.2 million to those in need

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken will today open applications to the City’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Grant Program and Nonprofit Support Grant Program that will collectively provide those in need with an estimated $1.25 million in funding.

The two programs are the latest initiatives crafted to assist Hoboken residents through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as detailed in the Hoboken Rescue Plan that allocates over $13.2 million in American Rescue Plan funding to programs and initiatives that support the City’s continued recovery.

“The pandemic has touched all aspects of our residents’ lives and we must do everything we can to help alleviate the pressures our most vulnerable residents are under,” said Mayor Bhalla.  “That’s why we are dedicating over $1 million to low- and moderate-income residents facing housing insecurity and providing grant funding to our frontline nonprofit community that continues to offer wrap-around services throughout this pandemic, ensuring no one goes without food, shelter, mental health support, childcare and so much more. I urge all those eligible to apply for these grant funds because together, we can continue to uplift one another in this time of need and recover from the pandemic as a community.”

Rental assistance is available

The City’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program will provide up to $5,000 in rental assistance on behalf of tenants who suffered financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Low-to-moderate income individuals and families residing in Hoboken who are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply with their landlords through a two-part application process that preserves tenant and landlord privacy.

Through the program, grant funding will be paid directly to the tenant’s landlord. The landlord must, in return, agree that all of the tenant’s debts to date are satisfied, including any rental arrears and associated late fees.

To qualify for rental assistance, tenants must:

• be a Hoboken resident
• have been current on rent through March 31, 2020
• show the need for rental assistance directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• show that one or more household members qualified for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• provide required documentation such as a copy of the lease or other documentation showing residence, income documentation, some form of ID, and documentation showing past due rent or an eviction notice
• have an Annual Household Income that does not exceed 80% AMI, with priority given to households whose annual income is below 50%

Tenants can apply even if they have received assistance from another program. Those who are undocumented can also apply.

Tenants and landlords have until Monday, Nov. 29, to apply. The City will award funds to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds expire. Application submissions must be complete with all required documentation from both tenants and landlords to be considered for funding, and incomplete submissions will be ineligible for an award.

A link to the application can be found at www.hobokennj.gov/news/city-of-hoboken-covid-19-rental-assistance-program. The application link will go live at 12 p.m. today, Oct. 27. For questions or program information, email HobokenRentalAssistGrant@hobokennj.gov.

Financial support for nonprofits

The City’s new Nonprofit Support Grant Program aims to provide relief to Hoboken-based nonprofit organizations that specifically address COVID-19 challenges in the community, such as those related to public health and safety, education, childcare, and economic security.

Through this program, the City will award nonprofits grants of up to $50,000 to reimburse:

• previously unbudgeted expenses related to the organization’s emergency needs stemming from the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic; and/or
• specific programmatic needs related to offering community programs and services specifically for pandemic response and recovery.

To be eligible to apply, a nonprofit must be a 501(c)3 located and operating in Hoboken that offers programs directly tied to the COVID-19 related needs of Hoboken residents.  The nonprofit must have incurred the unbudgeted COVID-19 related expenses between March 1, 2020, and Oct. 1, 2021.

Examples of eligible programs include, but are not limited to, community-based health programs, food banks, meal delivery services, shelters, domestic abuse support services, childcare programs, and telephone or virtual mental health support programs, among others.

Nonprofit organizations have until Friday, Nov. 12, to apply. The City of Hoboken will award a limited number of one-time Nonprofit Support Grants until program funds expire.

A link to the application can be found at www.hobokennj.gov/news/city-of-hoboken-nonprofit-support-grant-program-2021. The application link will go live at 12 p.m. today, Oct. 27. For questions or program information, email HobokenNonprofitSupportGrant@hobokennj.gov.

The City will disperse funds from both programs before the end of the year.