Can they turn me down for a housing voucher in Jersey City?
No. Vouchers count as income.
Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.
Why, and the exact law
Depends on the number of units or whether the owner lives in the building.
From the State of New Jersey, read Oct 1, 2026.Show the law
“The LAD also prohibits housing discrimination based
on the source of lawful income or source of lawful rent
or mortgage payment a tenant or purchaser uses …”
N.J.S.A. 10:5-12 · nj.gov · found word for word in the source
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
New Jersey lawDepends on the building
NJ Law Against Discrimination: source of lawful income
Can they turn me down for a housing voucher?
No. Vouchers count as income.
Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.
Depends on the number of units or whether the owner lives in the building.
Who it covers
Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
Exemptions: Rental of a single apartment in an owner-occupied two-family dwelling; rooms in an owner-occupied one-family home; religious organization preference.
The law, word for word
“The LAD also prohibits housing discrimination based
on the source of lawful income or source of lawful rent
or mortgage payment a tenant or purchaser uses …”
After an offer, most convictions count only for 1-6 years; a few serious crimes always can.
Depends on the number of units or whether the owner lives in the building.
Who it covers
Not owner-occupied buildings with 4 units or fewer.
Exemptions: Dwelling units in an owner-occupied premises of not more than four dwelling units.
In force since
Jan 1, 2022
Enacted
Jun 18, 2021
The law, word for word
“A housing
provider
shall not make any oral or written inquiry
regarding an applicant’s criminal record prior to making a conditional offer …”
N.J.S.A. 46:8-52 to 46:8-64 · pub.njleg.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026
Quote checked word for word
No other rule found
No Jersey City ordinance on tenant screening appears in the documents. The state Fair Chance in Housing Act and the Law Against Discrimination (source of income) govern.
The law, word for word
“A housing
provider
shall not make any oral or written inquiry
regarding an applicant’s criminal record prior to making a conditional offer …”
N.J.S.A. 46:8-52 to 46:8-64 · pub.njleg.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026