Camden County Affordable Housing Resources

Comprehensive guide to housing assistance programs, emergency shelters, transitional housing, and homeownership support in Camden County, NJ.

Need Housing Help Right Now?

Call NJ 211 - Free 24/7 housing crisis helpline connecting you to emergency shelters, rental assistance, and housing counseling.

📞 Dial 2-1-1 or (855) 465-1500

Camden County Social Services: (856) 225-8800
Emergency rental assistance and income verification - Available M-F 8:30am-4:30pm

Key Housing Contacts

Start here - these agencies manage most Camden County housing programs

🏛️ Housing Authority of the City of Camden

Address: 2021 Watson Street, 2nd Floor, Camden, NJ 08105

Phone: (856) 968-2700

Services: Section 8 vouchers, public housing applications, PBV housing, waitlist management

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

📋 Camden County Board of Social Services

Address: 101 Woodcrest Rd Suite 161, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Phone: (856) 225-8800

Services: Emergency rental assistance, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, utility assistance

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

⚖️ South Jersey Legal Services (SJLS)

Address: 745 Market St, Camden, NJ 08102

Phone: (856) 964-0602

Services: Free legal aid for eviction prevention, housing discrimination, landlord disputes

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

Federal Program (HUD) - Administered by Housing Authority of the City of Camden

Federally funded rental assistance for eligible low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Vouchers help pay rent in private market apartments. You pay 30% of your income; voucher covers the difference up to fair market rent.

Eligibility: Income must be below 50% of area median income (extremely low-income families prioritized). Background checks and landlord references required.

How to Apply: Applications accepted when waitlist opens (check website). Expect 1-3 year wait. Can use voucher anywhere that accepts Section 8.

2021 Watson Street, 2nd Floor, Camden, NJ 08105

Public Housing - Housing Authority of the City of Camden

Government Agency - Direct Rental Housing

Affordable apartments directly operated by the Housing Authority. Rent is based on 30% of household income. Multiple communities available for families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Eligibility: Low-income households. Preference given to extremely low-income, elderly, disabled, and those displaced by natural disasters.

Communities: Ablett Village, Roosevelt Manor, Westfield Acres, Mickle Tower (seniors), and more.

2021 Watson Street, 2nd Floor, Camden, NJ 08105

Emergency Shelter Resources

Joseph's House of Camden

Faith-Based Emergency Shelter

Emergency shelter for homeless men, women, and families. Provides meals, case management, and housing navigation services. Short-term stay (up to 90 days) with pathways to transitional housing.

1601 N 26th St, Camden, NJ 08105

Cathedral Kitchen Shelter Services

Nonprofit Emergency Shelter

Emergency shelter and meals for homeless individuals and families. Provides case management, job training, and connections to permanent housing programs.

Camden, NJ
Call 211 or (856) 225-8800 for referral

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA)

Government Program - County

Emergency financial assistance for back rent, utility bills, and eviction prevention. Up to 15 months of assistance available for eligible households facing housing instability.

Eligibility: Income below 80% area median, demonstrated COVID-19 related hardship or financial emergency.

Camden County Social Services

Transitional Housing Programs

Supportive Housing Programs for Homeless Persons

Nonprofit & Government Partnership

Long-term supportive housing (up to 24 months) with case management, mental health services, and employment support for chronically homeless individuals. Combines affordable housing with wraparound services to promote stability and independence.

Eligibility: Chronically homeless with barriers to housing (mental health, substance use, disabilities). Low-barrier entry.

Multiple locations in Camden County

Catholic Charities Housing Assistance Program

Faith-Based Nonprofit

Transitional housing and rental assistance for families experiencing homelessness. Includes housing navigation, financial literacy classes, and employment support. 6-24 month program with goal of permanent housing placement.

1845 N. 5th St, Camden, NJ 08102

Homeownership Assistance Programs

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) First-Time Homebuyer Program

Federal Program (HUD) - County Administered

Down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers. Grants up to $10,000 for eligible low-income households purchasing homes in Camden County. Includes homebuyer education requirement.

Eligibility: First-time homebuyer (or not owned home in past 3 years), income below 80% area median, complete HUD-approved homebuyer education course.

Camden County Government - 1 North Main St, Camden, NJ

NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA)

State Agency

Low-interest mortgages and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers statewide. Competitive rates and flexible qualifying criteria. Down Payment Assistance Loans up to $15,000.

Programs: First-Time Homebuyer Mortgages, Down Payment Assistance, Home Buyer Prep Loans

Rental Assistance Programs

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Emergency Housing

State/Federal Program

One-time emergency rental assistance for families with children facing eviction or homelessness. Can cover back rent, security deposits, or first month's rent.

Eligibility: Families with minor children, income below TANF limits, demonstrated emergency housing need.

Camden County Board of Social Services

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley - Housing Services

Nonprofit Organization

Rental assistance, housing counseling, and eviction prevention services for low-income households. Case management and budgeting support included.

Camden, NJ

Fair Housing Services - Tenant Rights Counseling

Legal Services

Free housing counseling and discrimination complaint assistance. Helps tenants understand rights, file complaints about discrimination, and access legal resources for eviction defense.

Protected Classes: Race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin

NJ State Resources & 211 Network

NJ 211 - United Way Housing Helpline

24/7 Statewide Referral Network

Free, confidential helpline connecting New Jersey residents to housing resources, emergency shelters, rental assistance programs, utility help, and social services. Available 24/7 in over 200 languages.

Services: Emergency shelter referrals, rental assistance programs, utility assistance, eviction prevention, housing counseling, senior housing, disability housing

Dial 2-1-1 or (855) 465-1500
Text your ZIP code to 898-211

NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) - Housing Resources

State Agency

State housing programs including affordable housing development, homelessness prevention, housing counseling, and community development grants. Oversees CDBG, HOME, and other federal housing programs in NJ.

HUD Region II Office (NY/NJ)

Federal Agency

Federal housing programs oversight for New Jersey. Information on FHA loans, fair housing complaints, housing discrimination, and HUD program complaints.

Need Help Navigating These Resources?

Our housing specialists at UNITY Foundation can help you find the right program, complete applications, and connect with local housing services.