Community development, as defined by the United Nations, is “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” As defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), community development builds “stronger and more resilient communities through an ongoing process of identifying and addressing needs, assets and priority investments.”

We assist Jersey City residents with a variety of issues, including affordable housing, emergency shelter, home improvement, first-time homebuying and relocation. Our partners provide additional assistance, such as youth enrichment, senior services and more. Visit the linked pages for more info.

The programs we administer are primarily designed to benefit people of low and moderate income, defined by HUD as households earning less than or equal to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).  Please lick on the link to find the income limits for the current year. 

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

We consider housing affordable when a household spends no more than 30% of its income on rent. HUD defines the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for Jersey City. Our programs have two levels of affordable rent below the FMR, based on 65% of AMI and 50% of AMI. For the 2021 fiscal year, Jersey City’s FMR is set at $1,958 per month for a two-bedroom unit. Jersey City's affordable rent levels are as follows:

Jersey City is allocated funds from the federal government on a formula basis. Visit our Grant Programs page to see which programs your organization can participate in.

The Annual Action Plan is a strategic plan that Community Development produces each year. It provides a summary of needs, goals, intended actions and activities, and specific uses of the City’s federal funding. It also ensures that the City is implementing the goals stated in its five-year Consolidated Plan. Citizens are encouraged to comment on each year’s Annual Action Plan before it is finalized. Find out more information by clicking our Apply for Grants section.