FAQs

Section 8 housing is handled through the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Visit the DCA’s website or call (609) 292-4080.

To obtain records, please complete an

It’s located at 875 New Willow Street, Trenton, NJ 08638. THA admissions staff can also be contacted by phone at (609) 278-5041.

The office is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

An applicant must be 18 years of age or older to be designated the head of the household and qualify for public housing assistance. A head of household is an adult who is responsible for paying the rent and can legally enter into a lease. Emancipated minors can also qualify as head of household if they have a court order.

Applicants must pay in full with any outstanding debts to the THA or from previous tenancy in another public housing program.

The following is required:

• Social Security cards for head of household and all family members age six or older, or written verification that they do not have social security card.
• Birth Certificates for head of household and all other family members.
• Eligible immigrants must produce credentials, e.g., green cards.

Head of household and spouse (or significant other) share a bedroom. Two sons or two daughters – who are less than 17 years of age – may share a bedroom. Parents should have separate bedroom from children of the opposite sex who are more than five years of age. Whenever possible, no more than two people are to occupy one bedroom.

Applicants can be removed from the wait list, if they do not have current contact information, e.g., address or telephone; are not a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant; have drug-related criminal activity; or a poor rental history.

Learn more about the application and wait list process for public housing by calling the THA Admissions office at 609-278-5041 or Apply Now.

The THA wait list is 2-5 years. For larger three-and-four-bedroom units, the wait list may be longer.

Applicants are ranked based on:

• Date and time the pre-application is received.
• The size and type of unit they require.
• Employment status.

Preference is given to families where the head of household or spouse is employed and has been employed for 24 months. This preference is also automatically extended to elderly families or a family whose head or spouse meets the HUD/Social Security definition of disability.

No. Housing complex assignments are given based on apartment vacancy and the needs of the family.

The following are two types of family choice rents:

1. Income-based rent is 30 percent of the family’s monthly-adjusted income; and
2. Flat rent is based on the rental value of the apartment, which is determined by a market study conducted by Trenton Housing Authority.

Yes. There is a $10 registration fee, a $100 additional security deposit for pets. Tenants must register pets and ensure all appropriate shot records are up to date.

Rent is NOT collected at the manager’s office. Rent is mailed to: Trenton Housing Authority, P.O. Box 48337, Newark, NJ 07101-4837.

A rent statement and return envelope is mailed to all residents on or around the 25th of each month. The resident should mail the statement and check/money order in the return envelope. The resident must mail in the exact amount shown on rent statement. If a check bounces, the resident must mail all future payments in money order form.

Rent is due the first of each month and is deemed late after the fifth business day of the month. The resident will incur a $35 late fee for bounced checks and for late rent payments.

All applicants undergo a review of their current and past behavior to ensure they meet THA’s ‘selection and suitability’ criteria. Through this behavior assessment, applicants must demonstrate their ability to comply with essential elements of a lease to show that they are suitable for housing assistance.

Specifically, your current and past behavior must show their ability to:

• Pay rent and other charges in a timely manner.
• Care for and avoid damaging the unit and common areas.
• Use facilities, appliances and equipment in a reasonable manner.
• Create no health or safety hazards and report maintenance needs in a timely manner.
• Not interfere with the rights and peaceful enjoyment of others and avoid damaging the property of others.
• Engage in no criminal activity or alcohol abuse.
• Engage in no drug-related criminal activity on or off the THA premises.
• Not contain a household member subject to the lifetime sex offender registration requirement under a State Sex Offender Registration Program.
• Comply with rules and program requirements of HUD and THA.
• Comply with local health and safety codes.

Visit Apply for Housing to start the process.