Housing
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) contracts with and provides funding to residential and supportive housing providers in each county. These services are listed in the Directory of Mental Health Services publication, under “Residential Services” (pg.100-103):
https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/home/hotlines/MH_Dir_COMPLETE.pdf
Definitions of DMHS Contracted Residential, Homeless and Supportive Housing Resources:
Residential Services: DMHS licensed and contracted residential settings which offer regular staff supervision for consumers, for the purpose of assisting with activities of daily living and providing support and supervision, as needed. Residential setting includes group homes, apartments and family care homes. N.J.A.C. 10:37A
Programs for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness (PATH): Services provided to individuals suffering from serious mental illness, or suffering from serious mental illness and from substance abuse, and who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Case management services include preparing a plan for the provision of mental health services; providing assistance in obtaining and coordinating social and maintenance services, including those related to daily living activities, income support services, transportation, habilitation and rehabilitation services, prevocational and vocational services, and housing services (Source: Public Health Services Act, Sect. 522 [290cc-221].
Supportive Housing: A program under contract with DMHS which offers residential placements to consumer residents with diagnoses of serious mental illness, either directly by a Provider agency or by agreement with another entity (RHCF, boarding home, etc.). Unless residing at home with family, or in a boarding care facility, each consumer resident signs a lease or sublease and receives mental health supportive services from the Provider agency which can be 24 hours a day, as needed. The consumer resident is responsible for lease payments, safety, cleanliness, property protection, etc. and bears the responsibility for those aspects of residential living. The consumer resident has the key to the home and has control over access to it. No lease shall contain the provision of mandatory mental health program participation as a requirement for the consumer resident. N.J.A.C. 10:37A.
New Jersey Housing Resource Center
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Privately owned subsidized housing – HUD helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. Search for an apartment and apply directly at the management office.
Public Housing – affordable apartments for low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. To apply, contact a public housing agency.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) – find your own place and use the voucher to pay for all or part of the rent. To apply, contact a public housing agency.
Rental Assistance – Housing Choice Voucher (formerly called Section 8) is a program that provides a subsidy or voucher to assist with housing costs. This program was initiated in 1975 and has been one of the government’s most successful housing programs. An apartment’s rent must fall within certain guidelines to qualify. Not all jurisdictions have a Housing Choice Voucher program. Time periods when applications may be submitted for this program are usually limited and vary by participating jurisdictions. This program usually has a lengthy waiting list.
Know Your Rights
Click here for the flyer “Know Your Rights” – for Residents of Residential Health Care Facilities (RHCF)
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA)
SHA is a statewide, nonprofit organization, founded in 1998, whose mission is to promote and maintain a strong supportive housing industry in New Jersey serving people with special needs.
FIND YOUR LOCAL NAMI
