GREEN SENIOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

GREEN SENIOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

New Law Will Lower Qualifying Age for Housing Choice Voucher Program

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblyman Jerry Green championed to provide expanded housing assistance for senior citizens by lowering the eligibility age for the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

The new law (A-3197/S-1936) will extend rental assistance eligibility to low-income seniors 62 years of age or older who are on the waiting list for the state's Department of Community Affairs' Housing Voucher Program.   Currently, state rental assistance is available only for low-income seniors age 65 or older, and who are ineligible for federal Section 8 vouchers. 

"Our elderly who are living on fixed incomes deserve all of the help the state can muster," said Green (Middlesex/Somerset/Union).  "By expanding our rental assistance program to include seniors 62 years of age and older we are providing more rental assistance to our growing population of seniors."

The law will direct the Commissioner of Community Affairs to carry out the new eligibility-age provisions.  

According to the federal Administration on Aging, federally funded housing preference is given to seniors who spend more than 50 percent of their income on rent, who are displaced from their homes, or live in inadequate housing.

"Our seniors deserve to have clean and comfortable homes to live in during their golden years," said Green.  "By lowering the eligibility age to 62, we are providing much needed assistance for quality homes and encouraging independence for New Jersey's low-income seniors."

This law takes effect immediately.

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