Housing

The Housing Department, located on the second floor of City Hall, provides a wide range of services. These services include: 

  • Clifton Home Improvement Program (CHIP)  CHIP Income Limits to HUD
  • The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)
  • Housing and Property Maintenance Code Enforcement for Both Residential and Commercial Properties
  • Investigation of Illegal Housing
  • Section 8 Rental Assistance
  • Zoning Code Enforcement

Code Violations

The Clifton housing code sets standards for property maintenance and occupancy. Typical code violations include:

  • High grass
  • Overcrowding
  • Peeling paint
  • Sleeping in basements
  • Any other property maintenance issues that would constitute a blighting effect upon neighboring properties

Zoning Code

The areas of the zoning code enforced by the Housing Department include illegal signs, fences, illegal apartments including basement and attic apartments, and any changes in the use of existing buildings, such as operating a business from a residence. Section 8 Rental Assistance is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that helps low-income families to afford decent, safe, sanitary housing by subsidizing their rent. Availability of the Section 8 assistance is limited. 

Family Self-Sufficiency

The Section 8 Program also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS). This program, funded by the Section 8 Program, helps families who are already receiving rental assistance to reach their goal of reducing their dependence on government subsidies.

Clifton Home Improvement Program

The Clifton Home Improvement Program (CHIP) is also a HUD federally funded program whereby a qualified Clifton homeowner can receive up to a $10,000 grant to repair housing code violations on their home.


Section 8

Gujarati

Polish

Spanish

Habitable Room

A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for:

  • Closets
  • Cooking or Eating Purposes
  • Excluding Bathrooms
  • Foyers or Communicating Corridors
  • Laundries
  • Living
  • Pantries
  • Sleeping
  • Storage Spaces
  • Water Closet Compartments

§273-10. Space and location requirements. (Amended February 17, 1970 by Ordinance Number 3964)