New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

DCA Launches Program Eligibility Screening Tool Called DCAid

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2019
Contact:
Tammori Petty, Gina Trish,
,
Lisa Ryan
(609) 292-6055

The New Tool Identifies Resources for Eligible New Jersey Residents Seeking Assistance with Housing-Related Issues

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Housing and Community Resources (DHCR) today announced the launch of “DCAid,” a new user-friendly eligibility screening tool designed to help New Jersey residents find available housing-related assistance programs for which they may qualify at DCA.  The DCAid eligibility screening tool can be accessed at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid.

“We are very excited to offer an easy way to discover if DCA can direct you to a program that will meet your needs,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as DCA Commissioner. “The DCAid tool is a quick and simple process that allows people to find out if they are eligible for housing assistance programs, utility assistance, homelessness prevention services, and other programs that will help to improve their quality of life.”

The eligibility screening process is a series of questions that takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete. Users can find out if they are eligible for DCA services that provide assistance with rent, including the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and the State Rental Assistance Program, heating costs, utility bills, removal of lead hazards in the home, Veterans Affair Supportive Housing (VASH), weatherization assistance, and homelessness prevention programs. The results, based on general income and household information entered, will provide the user with a brief description of eligible programs with contact information for the agency where the user can apply.

The DCAid program tool is available to New Jersey residents. Non-New Jersey residents are advised to contact their residing state for further information on how to access housing-related programs. People in emergency situations should dial NJ 2-1-1 for information on immediate assistance. Users seeking more information on DCA programs can contact the Department’s Customer Service line at 609-292-4080.

In mid-January, DCA announced that the 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.  Pre-applications to enter the lottery will be accepted from February 4th through February 8th between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The lottery is to gain placement on the statewide Section 8 HCV program’s waiting list.  To find out if you qualify for the HCV program, we encourage you to use the new DCAid eligibility screening tool: www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid.

The Division of Housing and Community Resources strengthens and revitalizes communities through the delivery of affordable housing, supportive services, and financial and technical assistance to communities, local government, and community-based organizations.
 
The DCA was established in 1967 to improve state services to local government; address the issues at the time of urban decline and suburban development; and secure federal funds to fight poverty. Today, the Department offers a wide range of programs and services, including affordable housing production, fire safety and building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery.
 
For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/.