The Township of Franklin amended its COVID CARES ACT RELIEF Fund Program to reallocate $85,000 of funds received to include rent relief. The emergency rent relief fund will provide up to $3,000.00 in rental assistance to low- and moderate-income renters at risk of eviction from their homes due to loss of employment or income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance will be paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the eligible families.

Applications may be submitted here from December 14th - December 30th 2020. EXTENDED

If you prefer to print this application and drop it off, please do so by printing this page. Place the application in the drop off box labeled TAX/WATER PAYMENTS. The drop off box is located in the front of the Public Safety Building at 495 DeMott Lane, Somerset.

Sealed envelopes must be marked Attn: Deborah Mitchell.

If you have questions, please e-mail your name, address, and phone number to Deborah Mitchell at deborah.mitchell@franklinnj.gov with the subject CARES Act Rent Relief Program.

You will be notified in writing via email within 30 days, if application has been accepted for funding or if you are ineligible.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY:

You must be a resident of Franklin Township, Somerset County.

• You must have been current on your rent as of March 2020 and be able to provide proof of same.
• You must have a current lease or rent agreement.
• You must have experienced a COVID-related loss of income after March 9, 2020 and be able to provide proof as follows:
  • Layoff or reduction of work hours
  • Unpaid leave due to childcare and/or school
  • Self-quarantine for 14 days due to illness or exposure
  • Other COVID related situations for which you have documented proof

Your income must meet the guidelines below:

YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBILE IF:

• You live in public housing.
• You receive other government rental assistance (Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based housing vouchers, or other federal or State housing program).
• You have unpaid rent from before April 2020.

Your landlord must agree to accept the assistance payment for the back rent owed only. Payments can be applied to rent only. There can be no late fees, interest or penalties charged to these for the period of April 1 - December 2020.

PLEASE HAVE COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS READY FOR UPLOAD BEFORE STARTING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

Acceptable Photo ID for both tenant and Landlord- Picture must be clear, any one (1) of the following:

• Passport
• Permanent Resident Card
• Government Issued ID
• Driver’s License

in addition the following must be included:

• Copy of rent or lease agreement
• Income documentation ​(all members of household 18 or older)
• 18 or older family members proof of current fulltime college enrollment (if applicable)

INCOME DOCUMENTATION

Including but not limited to:

2019

• Tenant IRS 1040
• Tenant W2’s
• Tenant SSI documentation
• 1099’s  
• Social Security Benefits letter or bank statement showing deposit of benefits

2020

• Paystubs dated after 4/1/2020 (4 consecutive stubs) which include gross and net pay
• Approved unemployment claim dated after 4/1/2020
• Utility Bill or equivalent showing name and address of tenant
• Bank statements for past six months, any 401K and IRA statements of assets with a value in excess  of $ 5,000.00

For Self-employed individuals please complete the Self- Employed Income worksheet and include supporting documents. 

I am a self-employed individual. I am providing the following information and documentation to verify my income. I certify that the information shown on the attached required forms is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

• Copy of my 20___ federal income tax returns as filed with the IRS

• Year to date profit and loss statement

• Annual profit and loss statement for the previous year

• Copies of payments/checks received from customers or ledger cards, if available

• Year to date profit and loss statement

Enter all household members, including you.

Income Exclusions and Duplication of Benefits Explanation

The following income sources are not counted in annual income for eligibility purposes:

• Income from children under age 18

• Income in excess of $480.00 from full-students age 18 or older who are not head of household or spouse

• Income received for care of foster children

• Lump sum insurance payments

• Adoption assistance payments in excess of $480.00 per child

• Home care assistance payments received to provide care at home for a developmentally disabled person

• Pandemic unemployment assistance payment 600.00 or 300.00 supplemental payment

• 1,200 IRS Stimulus payment

DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS

You may seek additional assistance from other sources to make up your delinquent rent and it will not be considered a duplication of benefit as long as the amount to be received does not create a balance in excess of your need for assistance. In other words your combined benefits including the Franklin Township CARES Act funds cannot result in a rent credit balance. The total of all funds received must bring your rent balance to zero “0”.

Please list All Sources from which you anticipate receiving assistance with your rental arrears.

Landlord Information

Statement of Housing and Non Discrimination

The Township of Franklin complies with the following Federal laws and Executive Orders in the administration of its Community Development Block Grant Program.

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352 implemented in 24 CFR Part 1): This law states that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

 • Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-234): The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The Fair Housing Act was amended in 1988 to provide protections from discrimination in any aspect of the sale or rental of housing for families with children and persons with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act also establishes requirements for the design and construction of new rental or for-sale multi-family housing to ensure a minimum level of accessibility for persons with disabilities

. • Executive Order 11063, as amended by Executive Order 12259 (implemented in 24 CFR Part 107): This order and its implementing regulations require HUD to take all actions necessary to prevent discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the use, occupancy, sale, leasing, rental, or other disposition of residential property assisted with Federal loans, advances, grants, or contributions.

Section 104(b) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5301 et. seq.): This law provides that any grant under Section 106 shall be made only if the grantee certifies to the satisfaction of the Secretary of HUD that the grantee will, among other things, affirmatively further fair housing. • Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5301 et. seq., particularly 42 U.S.C. 6101 et. seq., and 29 U.S.C. 794): This law mandates that no person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, or religion shall be excluded from participation, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination under any activity funded in whole or part with CDBG funds.

BELOW Attach Income documentation for ALL MEMBERS of the household 18 or older.

INCOME DOCUMENTATION

2019

• Tenant IRS 1040
• Tenant W2’s
• Tenant SSI documentation
• 1099’s  
• Social Security Benefits letter or bank statement showing deposit of benefits

2020

• Paystubs dated after 4/1/2020 (4 consecutive stubs) which include gross and net pay
• Approved unemployment claim dated after 4/1/2020
• Utility Bill or equivalent showing name and address of tenant
• Bank statements for past six months, any 401K and IRA statements of assets with a value in excess  of $ 5,000.00