New Jersey would create housing help for domestic violence victims

New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs would provide housing vouchers and help victims find stable housing. The program would serve domestic violence victims statewide. Vouchers could cover security deposits and moving costs. The department would set eligibility and application rules and provide an application website. Coverage would use existing domestic violence definitions and also include intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly damaging or trying to damage property to intimidate or try to control someone in a relationship with a person who committed domestic violence. Voucher amounts would reflect local market rents and account for family size. The law would take effect immediately upon enactment; the bill does not give a date when applications would open.

New Jersey would set aside $5 million from its General Fund for the Department of Community Affairs. The funding would support the Domestic Violence Housing Voucher Program. The money would pay for housing vouchers and the costs of running the program. The commissioner would report each year to lawmakers on how many people received help and how much the program spent. The funding provision would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.