Finish the Job!
Two years later, too many of us still struggle with the impact of Superstorm Sandy and we still have questions about how storm recovery money is spent. It’s high time to stand together and get families home.
Tell Governor Christie it’s time to “Finish the Job” and get our families home!
- We can’t finish the job when we don’t have the money to do it, are sitting on a waitlist, or have been falsely rejected or are stuck in appeals. Get RREM grant money out the door now to families so that every eligible applicant – those in the program, on the waitlist and who have been falsely rejected – have half of their money within six months and the rest out by October 29th 2015 at the latest.
- We need a “roadmap through RREM.” The roadmap must list all documentation we need to provide and steps we need to take so that we can complete them and be cleared to move forward. We can’t finish the job when requirements keep changing or its not clear what it takes to move forward.
- We still need help because the job isn’t finished. As the SHRAP program ends, homeowners and tenants who are not home continue to need temporary assistance to pay rent, and taxes, and a mortgage, and sometimes storage. We need new funding to help us while we’re finishing the job.
The Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) program is meant to help families raise, rebuild, and get home. But the program isn’t working for thousands of families and major questions remain about how Sandy recovery money is used. Of the 1.1 billion dollars in the program, only 219 million is actually out the door to families who need help.
Tom’s Story
Greetings from Sea Bright:
On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy upended my elderly parents’ lives; about 8 feet of filthy flood waters from the Shrewsbury River and Atlantic Ocean engulfed their home, and they have been displaced since then – with no end in sight.
My parents’ travail is not unique. They applied for the RREM grant the day the grant program opened on-line, May 25, 2012. It became a very onerous and burdensome and frustrating process – very quickly.
These two eighty year old people were forced to travel about 15 miles to the RREM Housing Recovery Center in the hinterlands of Freehold Township far from the sea. A trip that had to be repeated at least 10 times, a total of 300 miles, to resubmit lost documents and get the run-around from poorly trained HGI temp workers who promised to call back, which they seldom did, and they seldom provided any useful information.
My parents’ RREM application was lost for a long time. And they eventually found out through many, many calls to Commissioner Richard Constables’ office at the Dept. of Community Affairs in Trenton that they were on the waitlist. They found that out in November 2013. They filed two appeals, which were never responded to. After many more calls and trips to the DCA’s public meetings, they were informed that they were between 4000 and 4500 on the wait list, but were given no explanation as to why. After many more letters and calls, they were told that they were so low on the list because they had not provided a substantial damage letter, which would have showed that their home sustained more than 50% damage.
When they responded that they had the letter but the RREM program wouldn’t accept it, they were told that rules are rules by the DCA: they had been too late, and it didn’t matter that the RREM program was at fault. It didn’t matter that they had not been told by HGI’s temp workers that they needed the letter until after the application period ran. All the doors were closed now, they were told. It took help from our Congressman Pallone to get the DCA’s RREM program to accept the substantial damage letter in April 2014. After which their RREM rank came down quite a bit, between 2000 to 2500.
Months passed and my parents were told that they would be given a grant. They had a grant closing on 9/3/14, but they are still waiting for the total funds, and they have no idea when – or if they will get it. The RREM grant housing advisor told them to use their flood insurance money to begin raising the house (about $60,000). That’s almost gone. The house is on cribbing about 15 feet in the air, while hurricane season is at its peak for the Jersey Shore. There’s not enough money to finish the foundation without the grant money, and my parents do not know when that RREM funding they been promised will appear. If ever.
Their story is familiar to many. They have some hope. But we do not believe the grant process has been fair at all. But our hope is running out.
Wishing you all the best,
Thomas and Joan Largey, and their son Thomas J. Largey
Sea Bright, NJ
October 2014
Sponsored Content
Commercial properties can be difficult to find listings for. Often, property listing sites want you to pay to even view their listings. When property owners are looking for the best free commercial property listing sites, MyeListing is there to help properties listed and sold in no time.
Real estate can be complicated and confusing when you are developing your property. There are many permits that you need for any one particular project. When needing some assistance with the real estate entitlement process, MyeListing can help answer any questions that may come up.
Terminal value is a huge part of assessing the total value of your investment. Your net operating income and your terminal cap rate are used to determine your terminal value. Not sure about the terminal cap rate or what it even is? MyeListing is here to answer all questions!
The term is used in commercial leases, but what does it mean? What can you use the amount listed for? If you need more information on what an average tenant improvement allowance is, MyeListing is here to help!
Common area maintenance charges, commonly called CAM charges, are in many commercial leases. CAM charges are fees paid by the tenant to the landlord, and is an additional charge, on top of your regular rent. If you need more information on CAM charges for commercial real estate, check out MyeListing!
When planning a fun casino night, Austin has the place to go! At The Casino Connection, no doubt the entire party will have a good time!
The Casino Connection are the casino party planners you’re looking for. Leave the planning to the pros!
Looking to throw a party no one will forget? The casino party rentals Austin counts on, makes sure that it is an event to remember!
Want to have a casino night theme party? The Casino Connection has it covered! With slots and many other games, it will be a night one won’t soon forget!
Hold a charity poker tournament! Raise money for your charity with a Texas Hold’em Tournament Fundraiser.
When looking to have a good time, how about a casino night, San Antonio?! Residents near and far come for what bound to be an awesome night!
Looking to have a smooth, uncontested divorce? Brooklyn company The Divorce Center can help accomplish this.
Divorce can be difficult enough. Accomplish an uncontested divorce in NY with The Divorce Center.
Get it done and over with, with a quick divorce in NJ. After 42 years in business, the professionals at The Divorce Center will help get things done.
Getting a divorce can be expensive. When looking for a cheap divorce in Queens NY, The Divorce Center has the legal professionals to help with every step in an affordable way.
Need information on an uncontested divorce? Staten Island is serviced by the top legal professionals in the field.
When looking for a divorce lawyer, East Brunswick NJ has the best in town. With seven offices serving all of New York and New Jersey, The Divorce Center is always close by to help with whatever may come up.
Going through a divorce? Bronx NY area divorce lawyers at The Divorce Center can help make it easier for everyone.
Looking for a divorce lawyer in Cherry Hill NJ? The Divorce Center has been in business for 42 years. With over 4 decades of experience, they are number one in the New York and New Jersey areas.
When getting a divorce in Westchester, divorce lawyers that will serve every need are necessary. The professionals at The Divorce Center are there to cover everything.
When searching for quality moving companies, Pflugerville, TX company Leon Moving will get you taken care of. Their professional movers will take all precautions to ensure that all their clients’ belongings are treated with the utmost care.
When looking for Round Rock movers, Leon Moving, has the professionals that are more than happy to handle the heavy lifting. Handling all items with care, clients can ensure that all belongings are safely moved.
Find professional movers in Austin as easy as a phone call to Leon Movers. Handling moves for residential or commercial purposes,, clients can count on Leon’s professionals for a variety of services that suit their needs.
