Blog - The Waterfront Project,Inc.

January 8, 2026

Before You Buy: Understanding Homeowners Association (HOA) Fees – What First-Time Homebuyers, Homeowners, and Seniors Need to Know

Written By William Paige, Certified Foreclosure Specialist at The Waterfront Project Before purchasing a home with Homeowners Association (HOA) dues, it is critical to understand both the benefits and the potential financial risks. HOAs are common in condominiums, co-ops, townhouses, and planned communities, and membership is mandatory when you buy a property governed by an HOA. As a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency, we frequently work with first-time homebuyers, current…

December 20, 2025

Hoboken Takes a Stand Toward Fairer Access to Affordable Housing

This week, Hoboken agreed to end a long-standing policy that limited access to certain affordable housing units to Hoboken residents only. The change comes after a settlement with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and Division on Civil Rights, which found that the residency preference had a discriminatory impact, particularly excluding applicants from nearby, more diverse communities. Under the settlement, Hoboken will remove the city-only preference and return to a…

December 11, 2025

Tenants’ Rights – Only a Judge Can Evict In New Jersey

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…

December 4, 2025

Holiday Season Alert: Protecting Clients from Financial Scams

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…

December 2, 2025

Client Success Story from Our Legal Intern!

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…

November 20, 2025

Client Success Story – Protecting Renters from Luxury Development Pressure

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…

November 13, 2025

WFP Foreclosure Team Addresses the Government Shutdown & Provides Resources

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,…

October 23, 2025

Addressing Recent Housing News: HUD Layoffs Threaten Housing Rights & Protections—We Must Resist

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…

October 16, 2025

The Barriers to Home Ownership for Millennials and What The Waterfront Project Can Do

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…

October 9, 2025

What Are My Rights as a Tenant in New Jersey?

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…