Menendez, Booker Announce $2M in Public Housing Funding to Continue Providing Rental Assistance for Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both-D-N.J.) today announced a combined total of $2,025,817 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to continue offering rental assistance to families participating in the Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream programs. Because of insufficient funding, despite taking reasonable cost-saving measures, these Public Housing Authority's (PHAs) would otherwise have to terminate rental assistance for families in Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties.

"Families across the state of New Jersey rely on rental assistance to keep a roof over their heads and that of their children," said Sen. Menendez. "This $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allow New Jerseyans and their families residing in Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties to remain in their houses without fear of having their rental assistance ceased."

"This vital funding will help New Jerseyans who rely on public housing authorities to stay in their homes and make ends meet," said Sen. Booker. "I'm proud to see these federal funds allocated to communities across our state and know they will provide much-needed financial relief to families."

This federal funding has been awarded to the following PHAs:

• Newark Housing Authority, Essex County $1,864,252
• North Bergen Housing Authority, Hudson County $152,034
• Bayonne Housing Authority, Hudson County $4,762
• Morris County Housing Authority, Morris County $4,769

Sen. Menendez has long been a leader in the fight to build more affordable housing. In March, the Senator joined a group of 17 Senate Committee Chairs and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in sending a letterto President Biden urging the federal government to utilize a "whole-of-government" approach to address the nation's housing crisis.

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