SOTA Voucher Amounts in NJ 2026

SOTA Voucher Amounts in NJ — 2026 Guide

If you're relocating from New York City with a SOTA voucher, one of the first questions you need answered is how much the program will cover — and whether that amount is enough to rent in New Jersey.

Here's what you need to know.

What SOTA Covers

The SOTA (Special One-Time Assistance) program covers three upfront costs when you secure a new rental:

• First month's rent — paid directly to the landlord
• Security deposit — One month's rent held in escrow with the City of NY. (Some landlords require 1.5% so be prepare to pay the difference)
• Broker fee — Paid for by the program

These are one-time payments. SOTA is not an ongoing rental subsidy — it's designed to get you into stable housing. After the initial placement period, you are responsible for ongoing monthly rent.

Voucher Amounts by Bedroom Size

SOTA voucher amounts are set by New York City's Department of Social Services and are subject to change. The following are general ranges for NJ placements based on current program guidelines:

Your exact voucher amount is determined by your income — the ranges above reflect what we see most commonly in our active tenant registry.

What Happens If Your Voucher Doesn't Cover Full Rent

Some landlords are willing to accept a voucher that partially covers rent if the tenant can demonstrate ability to cover the difference. This is negotiated on a unit-by-unit basis. We advise all tenants to know their exact voucher amount before beginning their search so we can match you to units within range. In many cases tenants pay for the amount in full upfront. 

SOTA (Special One-Time Assistance) 

Jersey City Listings

Our landlord network 

Which NJ Markets Work Best at These Amounts

• Jersey City / Bayonne — Best fit for $2,000–$2,700 vouchers. Strong inventory, fastest approval timelines, direct transit to NYC.
• Newark / East Orange — Better fit for $1,500–$2,000 vouchers. More unit availability at lower price points.
• Union County — Mid-range vouchers, good transit access, solid inventory.

How to Get Matched to a Unit in Your Voucher Range

GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty maintains an active landlord network across Essex, Union, Hudson, and Middlesex Counties. When you register with us, we match you to available units based on your voucher amount, bedroom needs, and location preference.

👉 Register here: gbhnj.com/find-housing-with-the-sota-program

Or call/text us at 973-843-9804.

GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty | SOTA Division | Union, NJ | gbhnj.com