Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:
Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
The Hoboken Health Department reported the following new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hoboken:
August 20: 1 new case
August 21: 0
August 22: 1
August 23: 0
Hoboken now has a total of 695 known, confirmed COVID-19 cases with fatalities remaining at 31. As of Friday, 653 residents have made a full recovery. The age groups with the highest amounts of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic remain those in the 17-30 age group, with 188 known cases, followed by the 31-40 age group with 183 cases. 9 children between the ages of 1 and 16 have tested positive for COVID-19.
Eviction prevention program and rental assistance – applications now open
Thanks to our partnership with Hudson County, Hoboken has been allocated $521,313 in funding through the CARES Act for those needing rental assistance or facing eviction due to COVID-19. If you fit the criteria below, I encourage you to apply for grant funding which can help pay for rent if you can’t afford it. Tenants in need can apply for up to six months of back rent.
Criteria for receiving rental assistance:
- Hoboken or Hudson County resident
- Must show the need for rental assistance due to COVID-19
- Current on rent as of March 1, 2020
- Document ability to pay rent after assistance is provided
- Meet household income levels
Applications are now open at
https://cares.hcnj.us and will remain open until 5 pm on September 2. If you need assistance, the Hoboken Shelter and the Waterfront Project are hosting in-person open office hours at 300 Bloomfield Street on Thursday, August 27 from 1 pm – 4 pm and on Friday, August 28 from 1 pm – 4 pm (please wear a face mask). Tenants needing assistance can also call Hudson County at 201-395-4799 or visit the website above for more information.
As a reminder, during the State of Emergency, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent.
Assistance for those needing help paying utility bills
If you are having trouble paying utility bills due to COVID-19 or other circumstances, the State of New Jersey has a number of grant programs and funding opportunities currently available. For a list of programs and eligibility information, please visit
http://www.nj.gov/bpu/assistance/programs.
Small Landlord Emergency Grant (SLEG) Program
The State’s SLEG program continues to accept applications through Wednesday, August 26 at 1 pm to reimburse small residential property owners for lost rental payments due to COVID-19, if they agree to forgive back rent. For additional guidelines and to apply, please visit
https://njhousing.gov/rentals/sleg/. Assistance is also available by calling 866-280-9756 or emailing
[email protected].
Gradual Hoboken Library reopening
Starting today, the Hoboken Public Library will offer "Grab & Go" pickup service for items resolved through the Hoboken Library’s online catalog. The Library doors will be open for “Grab & Go” on:
Monday 10 am – 8 pm
Tuesday 10 am – 8 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 8 pm
Thursday 10 am – 6 pm
Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday (closed)
Library patrons can come to the library at any time and pick up items from the reserve shelves and check them out at the self-checkout kiosk. The library is requiring face masks when inside, along with social distancing regulations. Computer appointments are also available by calling 201-420-2346. For additional details, please visit
www.hobokenlibrary.org/steps.
Hoboken Relief Fund
I’m very grateful to the board members and volunteers on the Hoboken Relief Fund for continuing to provide grants to our local small businesses and individuals who have been affected due to COVID-19. To date, according to the relief fund, 40 small businesses have been provided approximately $145,000 in funding, with another 50 small businesses and individuals expected to receive grants in the coming weeks. Thank you to the many generous residents and organizations who donated to this fund to help those in need.
COVID-19 testing available for residents
As a reminder, COVID-19 testing continues to be available through our partnership with Prompt MD and Riverside Medical. Prompt MD requires an online sign-up at
http://www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd, with appointments available between 8 am and 3 pm on today and tomorrow at 605 Jackson Street. Appointments are also now available at the pop-up site for Monday, August 31 as well. Riverside Medical appointments can be booked by calling the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hotline at 201-420-5621, Monday through Friday from 9 am until 1 pm.
As a reminder, if you are coming back from a trip or may have had a potential exposure to COVID-19, please wait at least 5-7 days
after returning before getting tested to avoid an inaccurate test result, as well as quarantine for a full 14 days.
Thank you,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor
