Equal Help for Homeowners in New Jersey As Mandated by the Fair Housing Act

Foreclosure filings in the state of New Jersey have significantly dropped since January in 2009; however, the number of foreclosures is still high amidst the decline. According to a California-based foreclosure tracking firm, RealtyTrac, the number of housing units that received a foreclosure filing as of October this year is 1 in every 700, that is around 300 thousand households across the region. The number is still considerably high as compared to the historical standard of New Jersey. In order to address the problem, the N.J. government has been providing various help for homeowners from the hardest hit fund granted to states with high foreclosure rates.

To ensure that all New Jersey homeowners are being given equal rights on affordable and viable housing, the Fair Housing Act was created with the help from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development. No discrimination shall occur in the housing industry because of (but not limited to) the following:

national origin race sex religion disability familial status

In order to distinguish whether or not you and your family are being discriminated, here are some examples of common housing discrimination:

Landlords making obvious statement regarding on his or her tenant preference (basing on characteristics stated above such as skin color, etc). Dishonestly denying that a rental or condo unit is available. Setting higher income qualification for some tenants. Refusal of right of entry to the common used areas to certain individuals. Disregarding the needs of disabled persons.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency the authorized state department in giving help for homeowners in the area. If you have been unjustly denied of a modification of loan, or were discriminated in any way, contact their office right away. The agency aims to serve the most needy families in the state of New Jersey; if any loan modification company, landlord, or mortgage lender refuses your right for affordable and safe housing, you may file a complaint at their office and consequently, apply for their loan modification programs.

Some help for homeowners you can obtain from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency are: Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program, Refinance Rehabilitation Program, Reverse Mortgage for New Jersey Seniors, etc. visit their office at 637 South Clinton Avenue Trenton, NJ 08650 or call them at their hotline number 609-278-7400. If you want to file a complaint, call the Housing Discrimination at 1-800-669-9777. You may also directly contact the Fair Housing Enforcement Center of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development if you have experienced any form of discrimination from the state housing agency.