Sunday Is Deadline for Grants to Elevate Homes

The state has $100 million to give to property owners in New Jersey to elevate their shore homes, and as of two weeks ago, only 180 owners in Cape May County have applied for the grants.

The deadline to submit applications is Sunday, Sept. 15.

"We believe there are many more folks who would benefit," said Scott Brubaker, director of the state Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). "We anticipated more applications."

The deadline to apply for the grants is Sunday, Sept. 15.

Governor Christie launched the $100 million grant program in July, and it targets homes in the nine counties hardest hit by Sandy. The program provides up to $30,000 of reimbursement for eligible homeowners to elevate their primary single-family residences. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds finance the program.

About eligibility:

• Second homeowners are not eligible. The primary single-family residence must have been owned and occupied by the homeowner at the time of Superstorm Sandy.
• A structure need not have been damaged to qualify.
• No income restrictions or requirements.
• Applicants need not to have applied to FEMA for other relief.
• The program is limited to homes located in the 100-year floodplain.
• Homeowners targeted for buy-out under the State’s HMGP acquisition program are not eligible to apply.
• Applications will be prioritized by flooding risk and defined by how much higher a home needs to be elevated to meet New Jersey’s design elevation standards according to the most recent FEMA preliminary work maps.

How to apply for a HMGP grant:

• The application period closes on Sept. 15.
• Online: Visit www.renewjerseystronger.org
• By phone: Call 1-855-SANDYHM (1-855-726-3946)
• In Person: Visit a Housing Recovery Center (The Cape May County Housing Recovery Center is at 3860 Bayshore Road, Suite 5, North Cape May).

At Thursday's City Council meeting in Ocean City, Councilman Mike DeVlieger said the application is simple. He had called the toll-free number and completed an application within 15 to 18 minutes, he said.

Throughout Ocean City and the Jersey Shore, property owners are weighing the cost of elevating their homes against the potential cost of flood insurance increases for properties that may not meet new flood elevation requirements.

"We believe and FEMA believes that these elevations will certainly pay for themselves," Brubaker said.