Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (“DCA”) Division of Housing and Community Resources (“DHCR”) will be accepting pre-applications for the lottery for placement on the statewide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (“HCV”) program waiting list. Submission of a pre-application does not guarantee placement on the waiting list, eligibility, or an offer of a Housing Choice Voucher. If following the lottery, you are placed on the waiting list, you are not guaranteed a housing voucher.
What is the HCV Program: The HCV Program is a federally funded program that provides housing subsidies on behalf of low-income persons for decent, safe and sanitary housing. Persons applying must meet all of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (“HUD”) income and eligibility requirements. All Pre-applications submitted on-line for housing assistance will be accepted through a lottery process.
Maximum Income Limits: Total household income for any applicant in Union County cannot exceed the limits shown below:
| # of people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Income limit | $33,400 | $38,200 | $42,950 | $47,700 | $51,550 | $55,350 | $59,150 | $63,000 |
Where to Apply: Pre-applications for the lottery will be accepted ONLINE only at the following web address: https://www.WaitlistCheck.com/NJ559. No pre-applications will be accepted in person. Only one pre-application per household per county will be accepted.
When to Apply: The open enrollment period for the lottery is Monday, February 4, 2019 9:00 a.m. to Friday, February 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Information Required: The following information is necessary to complete the pre-application: Names, social security numbers, birthdates and income information for all individuals living in the household. An email address also is required. If you do not have one, the application process will allow you to create one. If you need assistance in another language the pre-application is available in 90 languages; which can be found at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/NJ559.
What Being on the Waiting List Means: DCA will proceed down the waiting list as housing assistance becomes available. When your name is reached, DCA will contact you for an eligibility screening appointment. The screening process will determine if you meet the basic eligibility requirements to qualify for the program. If you meet the program requirements, you will receive an appointment to receive an explanation of the program and issued a voucher. How long it will take to reach your name will depend on the rate of turnover of existing participants and the level of funding available, so it is important to update your profile with any changes to your name, address, phone number or email address. Placement on the waiting list will be based on a computerized lottery process. 837 pre-applications from Union County will be selected after sorting preferences. Submission of a pre-application does not guarantee placement on the waiting list, eligibility, or an offer of a Housing Choice Voucher.
Status of Pre-Application: Status information will be posted at: https://www.WaitlistCheck.com/NJ559 on or after February 22, 2019. If you were selected to the waiting list, your status will be Active. Individuals selected also will be notified by email.
More information on the HCV program and the pre-application process can be found by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the DCA’s website: https://www.nj.gov/dca/vouchers.html.
