The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) sent an email to clarify misconceptions regarding senior properties and file submission requirements.

Student Status Verification – The Full-Time Student Household rule applies to all tax credit residents in all tax credit properties (except properties in the Extended Use Period). This includes seniors. Therefore, ALL tax credit residents are required to sign this form annually.

Child Window Guard Acknowledgment – This also includes seniors, as some babysit their grandchildren who might be 10 years old or younger. The children do not have to live in the unit, just visit regularly. Therefore, ALL tax credit residents (except those residing in ground-floor units) in all tax credit properties are required to sign this form annually.

*Child Support Certification – Adults with adult children (including seniors) can and have been receiving back child support payments. Social Security payments can and have been garnished for child support enforcement. This income could potentially put a household over the maximum income limit at move in, which would create an issue of noncompliance for the owner. We have seen a tendency to only have households with children complete this form. However, it should not be based on familial status. If the tenant does not receive child support, they should check the question on the form that states “I do not receive child support.” Therefore, ALL tax credit residents in all tax credit properties are required to sign this form annually.

*Under $5,000 Asset Certification – If it is not applicable to the tenant/applicant, a Certification of Assets Disposed of for Less than Fair Market Value should be signed to determine if an asset should be included on the TIC as an “imputed” asset. Therefore, this form should be signed annually IF the Under $5,000 Asset Certification is not applicable for any year of certification.

Please be sure that all tax credit files in all tax credit properties contain the following documents:

  • Rental Application
  • Initial Lease Agreement
  • Tenant Income Certification – Required annually
  • *Child Support Certification – Required annually
  • *Verification of Assets Disposed of for Less than Fair Market Value – Required annually
  • Student Status Verification – Required annually (not required in the Extended Use Period)
  • Window Guard, Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector acknowledgement(s) – Required annually

*NOT REQUIRED FOR SELF-CERTIFICATIONS