New Eviction Defense Tool Launched to Aid New Jersey Tenants Facing Housing Instability

Interactive guide from DCA aims to educate renters on legal rights and prevent homelessness as eviction rates continue to rise statewide.

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched a new online tool designed to assist tenants navigating the eviction process. The New Jersey Eviction Guide, available at evictionguide.nj.gov, offers interactive, personalized guidance on landlord-tenant laws and connects renters to local support services to help avoid eviction and homelessness.

The guide, announced on July 23, 2025, is intended to simplify complex legal procedures and increase tenants’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities. It tailors its recommendations based on tenants’ responses to a series of simple yes-or-no questions, offering specific legal advice, court preparation tips, and connections to regional agencies providing social services, rental assistance, legal representation, and relocation support.

According to DCA officials, the tool’s release comes in response to growing eviction trends across the state. In 2024, more than 112,000 eviction filings were reported in New Jersey—the highest annual total since before the COVID-19 pandemic—with projections exceeding 115,000 filings in 2025. These figures represent nearly 10 percent of the state’s renter-occupied households.

Evictions have also become a leading contributor to homelessness. In 2024, eviction accounted for 24.17 percent of all homelessness entries statewide and nearly 28 percent among those experiencing homelessness for the first time. In light of proposed federal cuts—including a potential 44 percent reduction in rental assistance programs—state officials say the new guide is part of a broader push to address housing insecurity at the state level.

"The Department of Community Affairs is committed to ensuring that people effectively navigate the landlord-tenant process, which means making sure tenants across New Jersey have access to the resources and knowledge they need," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "This new guide is a vital tool in helping tenants understand their rights and responsibilities, and it's part of our broader effort to prevent unnecessary evictions and promote housing stability. We are dedicated to supporting housing security and a component of that is ensuring tenants have access to the information and assistance necessary to maintain secure housing."

The Eviction Guide is part of DCA’s wider eviction prevention strategy led by its Office of Eviction Prevention (OEP), which oversees programs providing rental aid, legal counsel, case management, and housing support. OEP also publishes the Truth in Renting Guide and coordinates outreach through community-based organizations.

A major component of DCA’s strategy is the Comprehensive Eviction Defense & Diversion (CEDD) network. This statewide initiative pairs social service agencies with nonprofit legal service providers to deliver wraparound support. The program emphasizes prevention, legal defense, mediation, relocation assistance, and fair housing practices.

Since its inception, CEDD reports that 86 percent of households receiving intensive support remained in their homes or were stably rehoused. The average income of households served was $2,200 per month, with 59 percent of that income typically going toward rent. Vulnerable populations—such as veterans, seniors with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence—were among the primary beneficiaries. The average cost per household served through CEDD was $1,300.

"The release of this guide represents a significant step in our mission to support tenants and prevent unnecessary evictions," said DCA Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources Janel Winter. "By providing clear, accessible information about the landlord-tenant process, we aim to empower tenants with the knowledge they need to protect their housing. Our team is working tirelessly to offer resources and assistance that help keep New Jersey residents in their homes." 

DCA is also planning a series of virtual town halls and stakeholder meetings to promote awareness and understanding of the guide across the state. These events will target legislators, municipal officials, and nonprofit partners working on the front lines of housing instability.

In addition to OEP and CEDD, DCA’s Office of Homelessness Prevention (OHP) provides services for individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Its offerings include rent arrears payment programs and a diversion pilot program that uses rapid case management and flexible funding to prevent emergency shelter placement.

For more information on the New Jersey Eviction Guide or related services, visit evictionguide.nj.gov or the DCA website at nj.gov/dca.