COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Update for Tenants

Update 1/21/2021: Read about the new federal eviction moratorium here.

With the new year, there have been updates and changes to the federal and New Jersey state eviction moratoriums. These changes have been implemented to help keep people safe, afloat, and in their homes during COVID-19. The below information applies to tenants of rental homes, rental apartments, hotels, and/or motels.

What is an Eviction Moratorium?

According to New Jersey’s COVID-19 information hub, the eviction moratorium means that no tenant may be removed from his or her home as a result of an eviction proceeding, with rare exceptions. This doesn’t stop any court proceedings on evictions but prevents lockouts and removals. The moratorium does apply to all pre-existing orders for removal as well, meaning that so long as it is in place, you cannot be removed from your home.

Additionally, the moratorium does not affect when rent is due. If you’re having trouble making your rent and need assistance, learn more about our Anchors to Stay Prevention Program here.

Federal Eviction Moratorium

The Centers for Disease Control continues to have a federal eviction moratorium in place through January 31st, 2021. This applies to all states and local areas, unless they have equal or better protections for tenants.

Read the CDC notice here

New Jersey Eviction Moratorium

New Jersey also has a specific order that applies to the eviction moratorium. According to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 106, the eviction moratorium will last until two months after the governor declares an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Currently, the public health emergency is set to expire January 20, 2021, which means that the eviction moratorium in New Jersey will remain in place until at least March 20, 2021.

Learn more about what the New Jersey eviction moratorium means for tenants here.

If you are not a New Jersey resident, see what the eviction moratorium status is in your state here.

What if I live in a hotel/motel?

The eviction moratorium does not specifically protect “transient guests or seasonal tenants.” Long term hotel and motel residents are not considered transient and are protected under Governor Murphy’s Order. Additionally, under Administrative orders issued from the State Director of Emergency Management, the following hotel and motel residents are generally protected from eviction:

• those who are part of state initiatives aimed at getting people out of group shelters;

• those supported by a governmental housing assistance program;

• health-care workers who need a temporary place to stay;

• homeless people;

• individuals affected by domestic violence; and

• those staying in hotels or motels in compliance with a court order.

If you need more information or have questions, you can read more on the above links or learn more by contacting Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, your local representative, or local governments. If you are in New Jersey and are in need of legal assistance regarding the eviction moratorium or other circumstances, contact a legal service organization such as the Community Health Law Project, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice - New Jersey, or Legal Services of New Jersey.

Letter from our Executive Director

Family Promise of Southern Ocean County is always growing and changing every year to best serve the homeless children and their families across the county. We have been able to provide families not just a warm bed to sleep in and food in their bellies, but also a chance to learn how to rebuild after the storms in their lives. But when COVID-19 struck, it changed everything.

Our hospitality network was forced to pull back; families needed safe housing, food, and childcare more than ever. We changed tactics, moving from our regular rotational shelter program to running full speed ahead through this pandemic. Pulling up our sleeves and putting on our masks, we became frontline workers ourselves. We were in contact with the families we were serving, making sure they still had food, diapers, or medicine. We were doing everything we could to make sure our community wasn’t overlooked and continue the mission of Family Promise.

The most significant element of our pandemic response was expanding our services. We are not just a sheltering program any longer, we have expanded our focus to assist families who are at risk of losing their homes with the Anchors to Stay Prevention Program. Through the prevention program, we have provided financial aid for rent, mortgages, and security deposits to eligible families throughout Ocean County. The shelter and prevention programs served over 80 families this year, and we provided aid to an additional 630 individuals; people who wouldn’t have had anywhere else to turn for help without Family Promise of Southern Ocean County.

Based on the drastic increases we saw this year in Ocean County, we are anticipating seeing five times the number of families to be in need in 2021. We’re preparing for this coming year by putting the infrastructure in place to increase the number of families we can serve through the Anchors to Stay Prevention Program, shelter more homeless families, and increase our outreach across the community. Our goal is to be the beacon of light for families who are at risk of losing their homes and continuing to find new ways to bridge the gaps for those who cannot get assistance anywhere else.

As we prepare for many more families in need of our programs in 2021, we need help from people like you. Family Promise of Southern Ocean County is completely reliant on charitable donations to be able to continue to provide services like the Anchors to Stay Prevention Program to all of Ocean County. We were able to do so much in the face of this difficult year, you can donate to help us continue our mission of helping children and their families stay safely in their homes online at https://www.familypromisesoc.org/donate.

Thank you for bringing so much hope and happiness to the children, families, and essential workers we serve. Together, we can end family homelessness. Because every child deserves a home.

With Warmest Regards,

Elizabeth Golla

Executive Director

Happy Holidays from Family Promise of Southern Ocean County

Dear Friend,

As the holiday spirit enters our hearts and homes, we want to say thank you. Thank you for your kindness and devotion. Thank you for being you. With your support, we were able to provide a warm bed for our children and families, as well as prevent homelessness for our nurses, teachers, and essential workers in our community.

We could not have made this impact on families facing homelessness without you. Your commitment to our mission and your tremendous generosity have changed the lives of over 700 people right here in Ocean County.

We are so grateful for your compassion and support. Thank you for bringing so much hope and happiness to the children, families, and essential workers we serve.

Wishing you and your family joy and good cheer during the holidays,

Warmest Regards, Elizabeth Golla, Executive Director

And all of us here at Family Promise of Southern Ocean County