How many housing & financial resources are in New Jersey?

Women's Corner tracks 14 housing & financial resources for women in New Jersey.

Are housing & financial resources in New Jersey free?

14 of the 14 listed housing & financial resources in New Jersey are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in New Jersey have housing & financial resources?

Listings span cities including Trenton, Newark.

What are some examples of housing & financial resources in New Jersey?

Featured entries include NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Newark Housing Authority, Salvation Army NJ — Emergency Aid, Catholic Charities NJ — Emergency Aid, Community Action Agencies — NJ.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

6 of 14 New Jersey housing & financial listings include phone numbers.

How long is the Section 8 waitlist?

It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.

211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.

Can I get TANF as a single mother?

Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.

What if I'm being evicted?

Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.

Best Housing & Financial in New Jersey — 14 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC programs, and the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) supports women statewide.

14 Resources

1. NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency — Free

NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency is a New Jersey housing and financial resource helping mothers with rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Call (800) 654-6873 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(800) 654-6873 · 637 S Clinton Ave, Trenton, NJ 08611 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Newark Housing Authority — Free

Newark Housing Authority is the go-to housing and financial resource in the Newark area for rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Reach the team at (973) 273-6200 to schedule a screening. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(973) 273-6200 · 500 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Salvation Army NJ — Emergency Aid — Free

Salvation Army NJ — Emergency Aid serves women in New Jersey and surrounding New Jersey communities with rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Dial (800) 725-2769 for an initial conversation about your situation. Hours are Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(800) 725-2769 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

4. Catholic Charities NJ — Emergency Aid — Free

Catholic Charities NJ — Emergency Aid provides rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability for women in New Jersey. Reach the team at (973) 596-4100 to schedule a screening. Hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(973) 596-4100 · Multiple NJ locations · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Community Action Agencies — NJ — Free

Based in New Jersey, Community Action Agencies — NJ supports New Jersey women navigating rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Reach the team at (609) 883-2000 to schedule a screening. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(609) 883-2000 · Statewide network · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. United Way of NJ — Financial Stability — Free

United Way of NJ — Financial Stability is the go-to housing and financial resource in the New Jersey area for rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Dial 211 from anywhere in New Jersey for a free routing to local services. Service hours run 24/7 via 211; ask about after-hours options if needed. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 via 211

7. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in New Jersey?: Women's Corner tracks 14 housing & financial resources for women in New Jersey.
Are housing & financial resources in New Jersey free?: 14 of the 14 listed housing & financial resources in New Jersey are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New Jersey have housing & financial resources?: Listings span cities including Trenton, Newark.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in New Jersey?: Featured entries include NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Newark Housing Authority, Salvation Army NJ — Emergency Aid, Catholic Charities NJ — Emergency Aid, Community Action Agencies — NJ.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 6 of 14 New Jersey housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?: It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?: Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?: Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.