The State of New Jersey has enacted a moratorium on the removal of individuals from their homes due to eviction or foreclosure. All residential evictions are suspended until 2 months after Governor Murphy has declared an end to the COVID-19 health crisis, or he issues an Executive Order ending the moratorium sooner.

Mercer County courts are open. Remote settlement hearings for landlord/tenancy court are happening. If you have participated in one of these hearings and are in need of financial assistance, please give us a call. We may be able to assist you.

Am I eligible?

• I am facing an imminent threat of homelessness
• I am a Mercer County resident
• My annual income does not exceed 2.5 times the federal poverty level for my household size
• I have found or plan to stay in housing that I can continue to afford (my monthly rent or mortgage payments are less than 70% of my net monthly income)
• I agree to provide a portion of the amount owed

Please note, Arm In Arm can provide financial assistance to an individual only once in a calendar year and up to two times in five years. Completing the intake process does not guarantee assistance.

Housing Assistance

Arm In Arm staff will be available to intake clients remotely via phone Mondays through Thursdays from 9 am – 3:30 pm. Please call 609-396-9355 x11  You might be prompted to leave a message. Please provide your full name, complete address (including city), and best number for us to return your call. Staff will contact you for an eligibility pre-screening.

What to have with you:

• Identification
• Court-filed eviction notice, foreclosure notice, or proof of current homelessness, such as proof of shelter or hotel stay
• A current rental ledger or eviction notice from your landlord
• Proof of household income, such as your most recent pay or benefits stub
• For SSI, TANF, and GA recipients, Mercer County Board of Social Services emergency assistance approval or denial letter and grant letter from the last 30 days

What to expect:
A staff member will ask some initial questions to understand your circumstances. If you meet our eligibility criteria, we will review your case. If approved, we will issue a promissory note and work with you to create a manageable budget plan with your landlord or lender, as well as the court and partner agencies. Once we receive all required documents from you, we will pay the landlord, management company, or lender directly.

Am I eligible?

• Hamilton Township resident
• Market rate housing for back rent assistance
• At least one household member must have legal US status
• Current annualized household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for Mercer County

2020 Area Median Income guideline – maximum amounts one can earn to qualify for this program

Household Size       Income Limits

1                           $54.950

2                           $62,800

3                           $70,650

4                           $78,500

5                           $84,800

6                           $91,100

7                          $97,350

8                        $103,650

• Owes back rent/mortgage caused by COVID-19 (beginning no earlier than March 1, 2020)
• Current household income puts rent/mortgage under 70% of monthly net
• Applicant does not have substantial assets to pay arrears

What You Need:

• Completed Self-Certified Application ( sent via e-mail after pre-screen eligibility  phone call)
• Identification for ALL adults in the household
• Proof of legal US status for at least one household member
• Current proof of income for all household sources ( e.g. pay stubs, unemployment insurance benefits, Social Security benefits, pension benefits, etc.)
• Lease for back rent assistance
• Current mortgage statement showing arrears, default or foreclosure for mortgage assistance
• Documentation of COVID-19 hardship

Arm In Arm staff will be available to intake clients remotely via phone Mondays through Thursdays from 9 am – 3:30 pm. Please call  Lisa at (609) 396-9366, ext. 16  or 609-577-9054. You might be prompted to leave a message. Please provide your full name, complete address (including city), and best number for us to return your call. Staff will contact you for an eligibility pre-screening.

PSE&G Service Update