Bloomfield Helps Struggling Residents Pay Housing, Utility Bills

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A popular Bloomfield Township program that helps local residents who are struggling to pay housing and utility bills will continue in 2019.

On Friday, Bloomfield officials announced that the Division of Human Services (DHS) is providing limited, one-time financial assistance for utilities, rent, or mortgage payments to residents who have fallen behind on their housing costs or utilities.

The initiative is part of the Division of Human Services’ ongoing homeless prevention program, Bloomfield officials said.

For 2019, the township DHS has $115,000 available for distribution. It’s the seventh year the town has received funds to run the program, according to Human Services Supervisor Paula Peikes.

Eligible residents will be able to get help paying up to four months of past mortgage, rent or back utilities. The program can also be used to pay a security deposit.

“The average we give is two months, but each situation is different,” Peikes stated. “It depends on how many people apply.”

Some eligibility requirements include:

• Must be able to prove employment and “financial sustainability”
• Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States
• Head of household can’t be on welfare or TRA (or on security deposit first time for Section 8)

Most of all, applicants need to prove that their financial situations are sustainable going forward. “There are other criteria, but that’s the main one,” Peikes stated.

Pre-screenings will be done Monday through Friday over the next few weeks by appointment only, Bloomfield officials said. For more information on benefit screenings, residents can call the Division of Human Services at 973-680-4017, or visit room 213 in Town Hall at 1 Municipal Plaza.

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