NJ Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Certification Form

The COVID-19 Eviction Protection Tool helps prevent low-income New Jerseyans from being evicted if they suffered economic hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online self-certification tool helps users understand the protections they are eligible for and submit the necessary forms.

Challenge

In preparation for the end of the State’s eviction moratorium, New Jersey introduced protections for low-income renters who struggled during the pandemic. Those who qualify can submit a self-certification form to their landlords, and those with pending legal actions against them can submit the form to NJ Courts.

Innovation In Action

To ensure residents in need could stay in their homes, OOI created an easy-to-use online form that makes the process as seamless as possible. The interactive tool guides users through the process with a series of questions, automatically generates their self-certification form, and with back-end data sharing, users only need to fill out their information once and can share it with all relevant agencies.

Impact + Metrics

• As of April 2024, more than 85,000 residents have used the Eviction Protection Tool since its launch in 2021.
• The form was developed and launched in under eight weeks to ensure residents could get help on the first day the legislation establishing these protections took effect.
• The lessons and tactics from this project formed the basis of OOI’s approach to how it streamlines, simplifies, and improves how the State of New Jersey delivers key benefits and services to residents.
• This effort helped spur OOI to create the Resident Experience Initiative, a multi-year effort to modernize State programs, benefits, and services, that is scaling to a number of other high priority program areas including housing and utility assistance, food security, worker benefits, and more.

Status

• The tool remains active and continues to be updated as needed.

Key Partners

• NJ State Department of Community Affairs
• NJ Courts

Last updated on 5/10/24