Low-income is defined as 80 percent of the median family income for the area, subject to adjustments for areas with unusually high or low incomes or housing costs. Although state law prohibits landlords from refusing low-income renters who are part of the federally subsidized program, renters such as Kizzy Boone claim they routinely are turned down. Her voucher expired, and she is back on the waiting list. That was my way out. Part of the problem may be what appears to be a conflict in federal and state regulations.
Federal law permits landlords to decline participating in the program.
But New Jersey law states they are not allowed to turn down applicants solely based on the source of their income. A 1999 ruling by the state Supreme Court determined the state's law superseded federal law. Housing advocates claim the landlords are aware of the state law, but try to maneuver around it. Other apartments don't pass inspection. Consequently, the shelters are filled with people who cannot get out of the shelter and into a Section 8 apartment.