Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in New Jersey
New Jersey has 99 housing authorities managing a combined 541 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 179 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 33%. This data was last verified on Jun 1, 2026.
New Jersey offers various affordable housing assistance programs managed by its 99 housing authorities, which oversee a total of 438 waiting lists statewide. Currently, 124 of these lists are open to new applicants, representing an open rate of 28%, while 260 lists are closed. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) serves as the state housing agency, supporting these efforts. A key factor for applicants in New Jersey is the generally high Fair Market Rents, which can translate to higher voucher values for those who qualify for assistance.
Applicants will find diverse program types available across the state. Public Housing offers the most open lists, with 30 lists currently accepting applications out of 95 total. Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) also present opportunities with 13 open lists from 49. For senior residents, 6 out of 10 Senior Housing lists are open, and Supportive Housing has 2 open lists out of 3. Other specific programs with current openings include Urban Renewal (Senior Housing), Housing Rehabilitation Program, Disabled Housing, Affordable Family Housing, Affordable Housing Lottery, and Veteran Housing. In contrast, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has more limited availability, with only 3 open lists out of 99 total.
Geographic availability can vary significantly. Areas like Lakewood, with 2 housing authorities, currently have 4 open lists, while Freehold's 4 housing authorities show 3 open lists. Morristown, with 2 housing authorities, also has 2 lists open for applications. The status of these lists is dynamic; for example, the Housing Authority City of Jersey City recently changed its PBV list from closed to open, while the Passaic County Public Housing Agency in Wayne had a PBV list change from open to closed. Additionally, Bridgeton Housing Authority’s Public Housing list recently moved from open to opening_soon. Prospective applicants should monitor specific lists and programs frequently for the most current opportunities.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in New Jersey include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (4 open), Public Housing (30 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (14 open), RAD (7 open), Mainstream (1 open), VASH. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in New Jersey right now are Deptford (30), Hackensack (26), Edgewater (22), Flemington (11), and Lakewood (6) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Phillipsburg Housing Authority — Public Housing
Eligibility Requirements for New Jersey
To qualify for assistance in New Jersey, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA).
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official New Jersey legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.