How to Find Low Income Housing in Camden County, New Jersey

Finding low income housing in Camden County, NJ usually means working with the Camden County housing authorities, applying for subsidized apartments, and getting on waiting lists for programs like Section 8 and public housing.

Quick summary: where to start in Camden County

• The main official system is your local housing authority and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
• Camden County has public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs with waiting lists that open and close.
• You’ll need photo ID, Social Security cards, and proof of income for everyone in the household.
• First concrete step: contact the Camden-area housing authority and ask which waiting lists are currently open and how to apply.
• Expect: you’ll usually submit a pre-application, then wait for a waiting list notification or lottery result, then a full eligibility interview if selected.
• Watch for scams: only apply through .gov or known nonprofit offices and never pay anyone to “guarantee” you a voucher or faster approval.

1. How low income housing works in Camden County, NJ

In Camden County, low income housing is mainly handled by local housing authorities (for the City of Camden and other towns) and by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers vouchers and some rental assistance.

The most common options are:

• Public housing developments owned/managed by a housing authority.
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) that help pay rent in private apartments.
• Project-based Section 8 or tax credit buildings where some units have reduced rent based on income.

Key terms to know:

• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A subsidy that helps pay part of your rent to a private landlord; you pay a portion, the program pays the rest directly to the landlord.
• Public housing — Apartments or townhomes owned by a housing authority, with income-based rent.
• Waiting list — A queue of people who applied; you usually must get on a list before you can be considered for housing.
• Preference — A priority category (for example, homelessness, veterans, local residents) that can move you higher on a waiting list if you qualify.

Because funding and programs differ, exact eligibility rules and open lists can vary between Camden City, other Camden County towns, and state-run programs.

2. Where to go officially in Camden County

For Camden County, you typically have three main official touchpoints:

• Local housing authority (city/town level)
  The Camden City Housing Authority handles public housing and often a local Section 8 program for residents of the City of Camden. Other municipalities (like Cherry Hill or Gloucester Township) may have their own housing offices or coordinate through county/state programs.

• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
  DCA runs statewide Section 8 and rental assistance that can be used in Camden County, as well as other affordable housing programs.

• Camden County or municipal housing/community development office
  These offices often do intake, information, and referrals to local subsidized properties (such as tax credit or senior/disabled housing).

Concrete next action you can take today:

1. Search online for the official “Camden Housing Authority” or “Camden City Housing Authority” website (look for addresses ending in .gov or clearly marked as a government/public agency).
2. Call the main office number and say:
   “I live in Camden County and I’m looking for low income housing. Can you tell me which waiting lists are open right now and how I can apply?”

If you live outside Camden City, also:

• Search for your town name + “housing office” or “affordable housing” and contact that office.
• Search for “New Jersey DCA Section 8” to find the state portal that lists when state-run waiting lists are open.

3. What to prepare before you contact anyone

Most housing authorities and affordable housing properties in Camden County ask for very similar documents when you apply or when you reach the full eligibility stage.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other official ID) for all adults in the household.
• Social Security cards (or proof of eligible immigration status) for everyone in the household, including children.
• Proof of income such as recent pay stubs, Social Security benefit award letters, unemployment letters, or child support documentation.

You may also be asked for:

• Birth certificates for children and adults.
• Current lease or a letter from where you are staying (if you are currently housed).
• Eviction notice, court paperwork, or homeless shelter letter if you are applying under a homelessness or displacement preference.

A practical way to prepare:

• Create a folder (physical or digital) labeled “Housing – Camden County” and keep copies of every ID, income proof, benefit letter, and housing-related notice together.
• Check expiration dates on IDs; if they are expired, start the renewal process now because an expired ID can hold up your housing application.

4. Step-by-step: applying for low income housing in Camden County

4.1 Basic application flow

1. Identify the correct housing authority and offices for you.

   • If you live in the City of Camden, start with the Camden City Housing Authority and ask about public housing and Section 8.
   • If you live elsewhere in Camden County, contact your municipal housing office and also check New Jersey DCA programs.

2. Ask which programs and lists are currently open.
   Many Camden County lists are not open all the time. Ask specifically:

   • “Is the Section 8 voucher waiting list open now?”
   • “Are there any public housing or project-based waiting lists open?”
   • “Are there any online pre-application lotteries I can register for?”

3. Complete the pre-application (often online or at the office).
   You’ll typically give basic household information (names, dates of birth, income, current address or shelter, disabilities, preferences). Some Camden-area programs use online portals, others use paper forms you submit in person or by mail.

4. What to expect next:

   • You will not usually get immediate housing.
   • If the list is lottery-based, you may get a confirmation number and later a notice saying whether you were selected for the list.
   • If you are placed on a list, you will usually receive a letter or email with your status and instructions to update your information if you move or your income changes.

5. Full eligibility interview when your name comes up.
   Once you near the top of a list, the housing authority or property manager will call or mail you to schedule an interview or intake appointment, where you must bring your documents and answer more detailed questions.

6. Unit offer or voucher briefing.
   If approved for public housing or project-based housing, you may receive a unit offer (with size and location).
   If approved for a voucher, you’ll usually attend a briefing where they explain how much the voucher can pay, how to find a landlord, and deadlines to submit a Request for Tenancy Approval once you find a unit.

4.2 Example phone script for Camden-area housing authority

When you call the housing authority or local housing office, you can say:

Have a pen and paper ready to write down:

• Program names
• Application methods (online, walk-in, mail-in)
• Any deadlines or required documents they mention

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common problem in Camden County is that waiting lists are often closed or only open for a short period, sometimes just a few days, and many lists use online-only applications that can crash or be hard to access from a phone. To work around this, ask the housing authority and your town housing office if they keep a mailing list, text alerts, or bulletin board for when lists open, and check in with local nonprofits, churches, and community centers that help people submit applications during those short open windows.

6. Other legitimate help options in Camden County

If formal housing authority lists are closed, there are still some legitimate paths you can follow while you wait or look for openings:

• Affordable housing properties (tax credit and project-based units)
  Some apartment complexes in Camden County have income-restricted units with their own waiting lists, separate from Section 8. Call local complexes and ask, “Do you have any income-restricted or tax credit units, and is your waiting list open?”

• Emergency shelter and transitional housing programs
  If you are homeless or at immediate risk, contact the Camden County social services or homeless services unit and ask about emergency shelter, transitional housing, or rapid rehousing. Documentation like eviction papers, police reports, or a shelter stay letter often helps you qualify for certain preferences.

• Rental assistance and back rent help
  The Camden County Board of Social Services and some nonprofits can sometimes help with one-time or short-term rental assistance, especially if you have a notice to quit, court eviction notice, or utility shutoff. This does not replace a voucher, but it can help stabilize your housing while you wait.

• Legal aid for eviction or unsafe conditions
  If you are facing eviction or uninhabitable housing, contact legal services or legal aid organizations serving Camden County. They can sometimes help delay or prevent eviction, negotiate with landlords, or document issues that may help you qualify for certain housing preferences.

• Housing counseling agencies
  HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in New Jersey often provide free help understanding your options, organizing your documents, and checking which waiting lists are open. Ask them specifically for “rental and low income housing counseling” (not just homeownership counseling).

7. Protecting yourself from scams and staying organized

Because low income housing and vouchers involve money and personal information, you should:

• Only apply through official government sites (.gov) or clearly established housing authorities and nonprofits.
• Be cautious of anyone who charges a fee to “guarantee” you a voucher, move you up on the list, or get you “instant approval”; legitimate programs do not sell spots on waiting lists.
• Never share Social Security numbers, banking information, or ID copies through social media, unverified emails, or text messages from unknown senders.

To keep your process manageable:

• Maintain a single notebook or digital note listing every:
  • Housing authority or office you contacted
  • Date and time of call or visit
  • Name of the person you spoke with
  • Programs or lists mentioned, and whether they’re open or closed
• Whenever your income, household size, or address changes, contact every housing authority where you are on a waiting list and update your information, because some programs may remove you if mail gets returned or income information is outdated.

Once you have identified which Camden County housing authority or New Jersey DCA programs are currently accepting applications and gathered your basic documents, your next step is to submit the appropriate pre-application through the official channel (online, by mail, or in person) and then carefully watch for follow-up letters or emails about your waiting list status and interview appointment.