DCA Continues Mayors & Legislators Resource Series with Focus on New Jersey Tenants Facing Eviction
Session Covered Rental Assistance, Free Legal Help, and DCA's New Eviction Guide
TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recently hosted the latest session of its Mayors & Legislators Resource Series for local and state officials, outlining resources available to tenants facing or threatened with eviction, and landlord rights.
Dean Dafis, DCA Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of Eviction Prevention (OEP), led the session, which is the fourth in the series. He covered assistance with rent arrears and relocation, social services support, free legal help, DCA's new Eviction Guide, landlord and tenant rights, and recent and pending changes to New Jersey landlord-tenant law.
"Mayors and legislators hear from tenants in crisis every day," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "When local leaders know what help exists, they can connect residents to it before an eviction becomes homelessness. This series puts that knowledge in their hands."
Eviction is the second leading cause of homelessness in New Jersey. Nearly one in four people who enter homelessness in the state do so because of an eviction.
"An eviction filing does not have to end in an eviction," said Dafis. "Tenants who get help early, whether that's rental assistance, a navigator, or a lawyer, are far more likely to stay housed. Local officials are often the first call, and we want them ready to point residents in the right direction."
Help With Rent, Relocation, and Legal Costs
Through its Omnibus Eviction and Homelessness Prevention (OEHP) program, DCA funds community partners in all 21 counties. Resource navigators help tenants with rent arrears, relocation, flexible financial assistance, and referrals to other services. Legal partners provide free brief legal advice or full representation in court.
Data shows the approach is working. For example, in 2025, 86 percent of households that received case management avoided a lockout or moved into permanent housing. Ninety percent of households that received full legal representation stayed in their homes.
New Eviction Guide
DCA's interactive Eviction Guide walks tenants through each stage of the eviction process. It explains their rights and responsibilities, the legal defenses they can raise in court, and the evidence they need to bring. It also connects tenants directly to legal and eviction prevention services in their county. The public can access the guide at https://evictionguide.dca.nj.gov/en.
Tenant and Landlord Rights
OEP answers general questions about landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities. It also publishes the Truth in Renting Guide, the state's go-to resource on tenant and landlord rights.
“The DCA Resource Series is government working in the way it should-breaking down silos, connecting leaders to resources, and making sure those resources reach the communities we serve,” said Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones. “I commend Commissioner Suárez and the DCA team for bringing state and local leadership together.”
“The DCA Resource Series gives municipal leaders direct access to the information and resources we need to better serve our residents,” said Bloomfield Township Mayor Jenny Mundell. “I appreciate Commissioner Suárez and the DCA team for strengthening the partnership between state and local government.”
Constituents seeking help can contact OEP at evictionprevention@dca.nj.gov or 609-376-0810. Tenants can also check their eligibility for DCA programs at dcaid.dca.nj.gov.
To review a recording of this session and previous topics, visit: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0Yoee0aU9A.
The next session with the Division of Codes and Standards will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. During the webinar, Division staff will provide an overview of its bureaus and programs. The session will also highlight the Uniform Construction Code Assistance Unit and recent changes in the 2024 national model codes, which set construction standards across New Jersey. Register here.
The Mayors & Legislators Resource Series will continue monthly, with each session covering a different DCA program area. Information on upcoming sessions will be shared through DCA’s communications channels.
DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, eviction and homelessness prevention, building and fire safety, community planning and development, historic preservation, disaster recovery and mitigation, and information privacy.
For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media:
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