New Jersey Housing
New Jersey Housing, Shelter & Reentry-Friendly Options
This directory lists housing and shelter resources across New Jersey that may support people on probation, parole, or pretrial release. Options vary by county and may include emergency shelters, rental assistance, supportive housing, reentry-focused programs, or transitional homes. Your officer must always know where you live or stay overnight. Before moving, staying with someone, entering a shelter, or signing a lease, review your judgment and sentence and talk with your officer — some charges and supervision levels have specific residency restrictions.
Travel & supervision reminder: Searching for options online is fine, but traveling to view housing in another county or out of state may require permission depending on your conditions. Being homeless or between places is not a violation by itself, but you must still provide probation with a physical location or cross-streets where you can be contacted. Every program listed here has its own intake rules, background checks, and waitlists, and only your officer or the court can confirm if a specific address is approved for your case.
North Jersey – Newark, Paterson & Surrounding Counties
✅ Verified Shelters & Housing Help
County-coordinated shelter and housing services for Newark and Essex County residents, including emergency shelter placements and referrals to supportive housing.
Network of programs in Jersey City and Hudson County that offer emergency shelter, motel placements, and housing-focused case management.
Programs in Paterson and Passaic County that provide emergency shelter, limited transitional housing, and referrals to longer-term options.
🛠️ Eligible Transitional & Community Housing
North Jersey has private transitional and sober homes that sometimes accept people on supervision. Rules, costs, and curfews vary by house and owner.
Some people find housing through private landlords, room rentals, or shared apartments advertised online or through word of mouth. Many landlords run background checks and have their own policies.
Central Jersey – Trenton, Middlesex & Surrounding Counties
✅ Verified County Shelters & Housing Support
County-coordinated services that help with emergency shelter, overflow motel stays, and referrals to supportive housing programs in and around Trenton.
Provides access to emergency shelters, limited rental help, and housing-focused case management for Middlesex County residents.
Local agencies and nonprofits that operate shelter beds, supportive housing units, and homelessness-prevention assistance in Monmouth and neighboring counties.
🛠️ Eligible Rental Assistance & Local Programs
County and regional community action agencies may help with back rent, security deposits, or utilities, and can connect you to local shelters or housing programs.
PHAs administer public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Some have preferences for people experiencing homelessness or with justice-involvement, but waiting lists may open and close.
South Jersey – Camden, Atlantic City & Southern Counties
✅ Verified Regional Shelter & Housing Resources
County-supported emergency shelters and reentry-friendly programs that may serve adults and families in Camden City and surrounding townships.
Programs that coordinate emergency shelter, motel placements, and housing-focused case management for Atlantic County residents, including Atlantic City.
Smaller counties in South Jersey often work through county social services, local nonprofits, and church-based programs to provide shelter and limited rental help.
🛠️ Eligible Faith-Based & Shared Housing
Churches, ministries, and St. Vincent de Paul-style programs may offer short-term shelter vouchers, limited rental help, or referrals to local housing partners when funding is available.
Some people in South Jersey look for rooms through word-of-mouth, online listings, or boarding houses. These options can be quick but may have unclear rules or frequent turnover.
Statewide Housing Help, Hotlines & Information
✅ Verified Statewide & Government Resources
Statewide 24/7 information and referral service that can connect you to county-level shelter, rental assistance, and housing programs anywhere in New Jersey.
Oversees several housing assistance and homelessness programs statewide, including partnerships with local agencies, housing authorities, and special initiatives when funding is available.
🛠️ Eligible Other Ideas & Planning Tips
Some people stay with family or friends while they look for something more permanent. This can help you stabilize, but the home must still be approved under your supervision rules.
If a living situation falls through, you may need a short-term back-up plan such as a shelter, motel night, or safe relative’s home. Having a plan and phone numbers ready can prevent gaps in your address and reduce the risk of a violation.
Important: Being listed here does not guarantee that any provider will accept your application, criminal history, or supervision status. Housing programs, landlords, and shelters have their own intake rules and background checks.
Before you move or enroll: review your judgment and sentence, probation or parole order, and any residency restrictions, and get approval from your officer when possible. If your officer gives different instructions than this page, follow your officer’s instructions.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not a housing provider, landlord, or law firm. We do not place you in housing, negotiate leases, or guarantee that any program satisfies court or supervision conditions. This page is for information and education only.
