The Bridge Program

We are currently unable to accept applications for rental assistance. We hope to re-open applications soon.

The Bridge Program exists for families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Our goal is to empower your family to be self-sustaining, and we’ll work together to remove barriers that stand in the way! Our program is comprehensive and growth-focused, aiming to give you the tools, skills, and resources for long-term stability.

What Do We Provide?

Temporary housing and ongoing support for families facing homelessness.
Financial empowerment and ongoing personalized support, including:
- Intensive case management
- Savings plans
- Money management
- Life coaching
- Skills acquisition for career change

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for our shelter program, you must be:

A parent living with a child under the age of 18
Currently and consistently employed
Residing in Bergen County

This includes families who are:

About to lose their housing (or are facing eviction) and have not yet secured a replacement
Staying in a hotel
Temporarily staying with a family or friend
Bouncing to different accommodations
Living in overcrowded circumstances

My Family needs housing. What do I do?
Click on the yellow button below to fill out a short form, with just 5 simple questions:

check eligibility

Eligible families will be contacted by a case manager within 2 business days. Others will be offered referrals for more appropriate services.

Partner With Us For A Stable Future!

Family Case Managers help you establish a rebuilding pathway, identifying any challenges and needs on your way to self-sustainability. Assistance is personalized to the needs and goals of your family, and we are able to tap into a significant network of professionals to provide workshops, consulting, and other resources. If you are planning on a financially stable future for your family, we want to partner with you in achieving that goal!

Family Promise of Bergen County Bridge network

Bridge Program Frequently Asked Questions

Process:

How does the Bridge Program work?

The Bridge Program works by helping families develop the skills and resources to be self-sufficient. We provide temporary housing at no cost to your family, affording you time and resources to develop your savings! Because financial planning and budgeting are a necessary component of our program, our case managers partner with you to create a savings plan that helps your family meet the goal of self-sufficiency. When you graduate from the Bridge Program, you’ll leave with increased financial skills, better budgeting practices, and a savings account set aside for a new life of stability.

We also recognize that not all families have access to careers with stable income. Our case managers will work with you to identify barriers to your self-sufficiency, whether that includes language barriers, a needed career change if possible, or childcare limitations! All these opportunities keep our goal in mind – to help your family become self-sufficient.

Does the size of my family matter?

We work with families of all sizes, whether you have two adults in the home or are a single parent. Our mission is to empower working families, so we do require a dependent child under the age of 18 to be living in the home to be eligible for our program. If accepted into our program, we’ll partner with your family to identify appropriate temporary accommodations for your needs.

Will my kids need to change schools?

Thanks to the New Jersey Mckinney-Vento laws, once you qualify as homeless, your child is entitled to continue attending their school, regardless of where you are placed for housing. Your district’s Mckinney-Vento liaisons will work with you to coordinate transportation for your child. Rest assured, your privacy is guaranteed through NJ’s Mckinney-Vento laws.

Where will I be placed if I am accepted into the Bridge program?

Family Promise partners with Bergen County hotels to provide temporary housing that is safe, comfortable, and private for our Bridge families. You’ll be assigned a hotel stay in Bergen County for the duration of your time in the Bridge program.

Will the program place me in permanent housing?

We do not provide or connect families to permanent housing. Instead, we work with you to build up the financial knowledge, budget practices, and job skills to afford your own housing. Many program graduates have been able to rent their own apartment, and some very dedicated families have gone on to become homeowners thanks to their commitment to their own self-sufficiency.

Does the Bridge program connect me to housing vouchers?

Family Promise is not connected to Social Services and does not provide housing vouchers or connect program participants to such benefits. We do not partner with families looking to use housing vouchers.

Do I get social service benefits from being enrolled in the program?

Our Bridge program does not connect you to Social Services benefits.

How long does Family Promise provide services for?

Our Bridge program typically provides housing and support for 1 – 3 months, pending compliance and partnership with program expectations. With our goal of self-sufficiency in mind, financial education and budgeting are a required component of our program. Families will be asked to partner with our case managers for success, taking advantage of the provided housing to build up a savings that will allow you to rent an apartment that meets your family’s needs upon program completion.

Finances:

If I have some money saved, does that disqualify me from the program?

No! Our goal is to empower your family to be self-sufficient, and every asset you bring into the program is a benefit to your long-term success. We understand that housing instability exists at all income levels, and we do not have income or asset caps for participation in our Bridge program.

Does my income affect my eligibility?

No, income does not affect eligibility in our program. We seek to empower working families to become self-sufficient, so families that are stably employed may be eligible for our program, regardless of the income from their employment.

Is there a time limit for my participation in the program?

Our Bridge program does not exceed 3 months, depending on compliance and partnership with program expectations. With our goal of self-sufficiency in mind, financial education and budgeting are a required component of our program.

Do I need to be a US Citizen to qualify for the program?

No. Immigrant families are eligible and welcome to apply, regardless of immigration status. Because long-term self-sufficiency is a goal, we do require proof of ongoing and consistent employment, such as a reference from an employer or paystubs. Banking information will be requested.

Will I be removed from the program if my income increases?

No. We want to see your family thrive and become self-sufficient. Any growth in your career sets you up for greater stability. In fact, our Bridge program will at times identify career paths that may increase your income, and assist you with job skills training to become eligible for such jobs.