NEW JERSEY – Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced that the Newark Office of Tenant Legal Services (OTLS) has partnered with the NJ SHARES SMART program to provide $ 372,000 in funds to prevent evictions for non-payment of rent.
The announcement reported that NJ SHARES will pay up to $ 2,000 a year to landlords to avoid eviction for back rent owed on a home.
“Last year, we began providing pro-bono legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction to protect their legal rights when facing wrongful and illegal evictions by their landlords,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Now, in the midst of COVID-19, there are many tenants who owe back rent who could face homelessness when the eviction moratorium ends, and partnering with NJ SHARES is one step to help deal with this threat.” .
The OTLS organization serves Newark households with a gross household income (before taxes) of 200 percent or less of the current federal poverty level and facing eviction. Those eligible for financial assistance under the NJ SMART association must also have an eviction complaint that has been reviewed by an OTLS attorney and be experiencing a financial crisis.
They clarify that the funds can only be used for the prevention of homelessness and are distributed to the tenant’s current owner or a prospective owner when the current home is uninhabitable or unsafe.
“Our SMART program is designed to help families on the brink of eviction,” explained Cheryl Stowell, executive director of NJ SHARES. “Our partnership with OTLS will allow us to reach those who need it most in Newark.”
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