Written By Stefany Perez, Certified HUD Housing Counselor New Jersey has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country. One of the most important right every tenant should know is that only a judge can evict you in New Jersey! A landlord cannot evict a tenant on their own, even if they believe they have a valid reason. An eviction can only happen after a judge issues a judgment…
By Patricia Ellams, HUD Certified Housing Counselor Foreclosure Specialist at The Waterfront Project As the holiday season approaches, fraud activity rises sharply. Scammers prey on the spiritof giving, using fake charities, online shopping schemes, and phishing tactics to stealmoney and personal information. Fraud in the U.S. has reached crisis levels, and vulnerable populations—particularly older adults—are being targeted at alarming rates. As trusted counselors, we play a critical role in helping…
Written by Beryl Dayton, Managing Attorney at The Waterfront Project Ms. A is a Section 8 tenant who was behind on her utilities and a small amount of rent. We settled back in July, but the landlord filed a certification of breach after she fell behind on the payment plan — even though all that she owed at that point was for her utility bill. Ms. A was able to…
Written By Stefany Perez, HUD Certified Housing Counselor at The Waterfront Project We were contacted by a client after their landlord issued a notice stating that the property was being retired from residential use and that all tenants needed to move within 3 months. The landlord stated the property had too many violations and they needed to close the building to repair it. I advised the tenant to speak to with…
Written By the WFP Foreclosure Team A government shutdown may start in Congress, but its real impact is felt at the closing table—and in the lives of everyday Americans. Homebuyers face stalled loans and canceled closings, while current homeowners deal with delayed services and added uncertainty. Although programs like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue to operate, many families relying on FHA, VA, or USDA loans are left waiting, worrying,…
Article sources: HUD To Lay Off Hundreds As Government Shutdown Drags On OMB says ‘substantial’ federal employee layoffs have begun Federal Government Shutdown and Mass Layoffs Risks Crippling HUD in the Long Term | National Low Income Housing Coalition Over the past week, alarming news emerged: the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has sent layoff notices to hundreds of employees—cuts that disproportionately affect fair housing, public housing, and…
By Maria Mascola, HUD Certified Foreclosure Specialist The Waterfront Project is a free clinic helping in both Pre-Purchase and Post-Purchase Counseling. We understand the current difficulties due to the economy, rising housing costs, and interest rates that are affecting so many people’s ability to cross over from renting to homeownership. Working together, we can assist with budgeting and offer an opportunity for you to see if you qualify for down…
At The Waterfront Project, we often hear from tenants who feel powerless when facing an eviction notice, unsafe housing conditions, or sudden rent increases. The truth is: tenants in New Jersey have strong legal rights—but too often, those rights go unprotected because people don’t know them or don’t have access to an attorney. Housing is a human right, and knowing your protections is the first step to keeping yourself and…
On September 30, the Jersey City Council unanimously passed two ordinances to strengthen rent control enforcement and increase transparency for tenants. A third ordinance, which would clarify exemptions under state rent control law, was sent back to first reading for further review. These steps mark important progress toward holding landlords accountable and protecting tenants from unlawful rent hikes. For the thousands of Hudson County families living paycheck to paycheck, stronger…
By Elizabeth Hurley, Legal Director of The Waterfront Project Ms. C. came to The Waterfront Project’s offices late in the afternoon with a Warrant for Removal stating she would be evicted the following morning. She had previously signed a settlement agreement to resolve her eviction case with a payment plan towards rental arrears but did not have an attorney. Her landlord had agreed to open her payment portal but kept…
