5. a. Within 60 days of the enactment of P.L.2021, c.188 (C. 52:27D-287.7 et al.), the department shall establish an “Office of Eviction Prevention,” which shall be responsible for:

(1) identifying all federal, State, local and other sources of financial assistance which are intended or could be used to prevent the eviction of residential tenants, including but not limited to programs which provide both deep and shallow rental subsidies;

(2) becoming knowledgeable with regard to the application process for each such program; and

(3) identifying, and proposing remedies for, the gaps in the overall assistance system, especially in relation to eligibility requirements and the need for addition to, or revision of, subsidy programs so as to provide appropriate assistance of various sorts and in various amounts to households at different income levels.

b. This office shall be responsible for the compilation, publication, and ongoing update of this information, and shall also be responsible for working collaboratively with at least one non-profit, community-based organization in each county so that such organizations are able to provide information regarding the availability of and means of accessing such financial assistance by at-risk tenants.

L.2021, c.188, s.5.