TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L. Rice to lower the qualifying age for the State’s rental assistance grant program from 65 to 62 received final legislative approval today when the full Senate approved the measure.
“It’s costly to love in this State and for many seniors the quality of life is suffering because affordable housing is limited,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “We need to keep our seniors close to their families and loved ones, and by lowering the qualifying age for the State’s rental assistance grant program we will be able to help many more needy seniors. As the citizens of New Jersey age, we need to provide them with the assistance they need.”
Senator Rice noted that the federal Section 8 program, which deals with low-income housing, defines a senior citizen as someone who is age 62 or older, while the State rental assistance program states that a senior citizen is someone who is age 65 or older.
The bill, S-1936, would make the State program consistent with the federal one, and create a more efficient system for issuing the State rental assistance grants, said Senator Rice.
“The residents of this State work hard to live hear and it would be a shame to force seniors out of their homes because we would not provide rental assistance for another 3 years,” said Senator Rice, “We need to shows our seniors that we value and respect they.”
The bill now heads to the Governor’s office for enactment.
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