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Sandy Housing at Fort Three Weeks Away

Temporary housing will include 45 units.

Those still looking for a place to live in the wake of Superstorm Sandy will have at least three more weeks before they can hope for a place at Fort Monmouth.

The state announced today that work is under way at the fort to house those displaced by Sandy, but on a much smaller scale than previously announced.

According to Lisa Ryan, director of communications for the NJ Department of Community Affairs, there will only be 45 housing units, which is based on the need identified by FEMA.

These units will include 15 three-bedroom units and 30 one-bedroom units.

Previous reports estimated that the fort would house 400-600 families and more than a month after the Governor previously estimated.

No word yet on how these units will be allocated.

Here is the statement Ryan sent to Patch on Wednesday:

Work directed and authorized by FEMA recently began to prepare Fort Monmouth for people displaced by Hurricane Sandy. The work is on one Fort building that previously included 60 one-bedroom units. The construction is scheduled to take approximately three weeks provided no issues arise. This work will result in a total of 45 housing units – 15 three-bedroom units and 30 one-bedroom units – for storm-displaced residents. At this time, FEMA has identified sufficient housing need to authorize the renovation of this one building at the Fort. If additional housing needs at the former military base are recognized, FEMA will contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to renovate more of the Fort’s housing stock.

Stay tuned for more as this story develops.

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Ronna Travali November 29, 2012 at 02:02 am
Why are you blaming this on Christie? FEMA is run by the FEDERAL Government, you remember? Good job Obama, the election is now over!
Dominick Palermo November 29, 2012 at 02:34 am
Why are they using the 150 room hotel on FT Mon ---------------- Why did they erect the giant tents on Mon Park and not use them ------- cause they had too little heating units and had to move the people into the Club House at Mon Park -------- PISS POOR PLANNING BY FEMA
CrabbyDaddy November 29, 2012 at 03:15 am
FEMA . . . we're from the government and we're here to help. This is awful.
Kathy Agresto November 29, 2012 at 12:39 pm
What a disgrace Shame on them for taking so long
Justbecuz November 29, 2012 at 02:21 pm
Why all this FEMA bashing? Would you be able to coordinate thousands of displaced people AND get the government to open a closed fort in less than a month? FMERPA started trying to coordinate low income housing on the Fort for 5 years before it was closed, and it STILL isn't set up!!!
Fred A. Blumberg November 29, 2012 at 02:53 pm
It was all a drill, just wait!
Amy Byrnes (Editor) November 29, 2012 at 04:25 pm
Dominick: The tents set up at the racetrack were initially intended to be used as a hospitality site for all of the power workers to eat and rest in between shifts. They were not originally intended to be used as a shelter.
Katnypp November 29, 2012 at 06:39 pm
Exactly. Where is Obama or Biden now? The election has been won. They will not be coming back. FEMA needs to get a bunch of their trailers and set them up on the Fort property, even in the parking lots. No way am I believing that 15 units with 3 bedrooms are all that's needed. and WHO is going to go into the 30 single bedroom units? Most of the people displaced are entire families. This is utterly disgraceful.
Katnypp November 29, 2012 at 06:44 pm
This is way worse then Katrina, as it is massive destruction on a much larger scale over a much broader area...then entire state of NJ and parts of NY. How is it that Obama is not bearing the burden of this like Bush did with Katrina? Winter is upon us and these people have no homes, many have no heat, many are still without power, and they still want another 3 weeks? This is a classic case of too little, too late. Open up those empty officer homes on Hope Rd and turn on the utilities already.
jza November 29, 2012 at 07:14 pm
if it was tht easy i'd imagine they'd be opening those homes immediately. i don't think anyone in new jersey is taking things lightly especially since the devastation is footsteps away from our homes.
DD November 29, 2012 at 07:28 pm
katnypp: YOU ARE SPOT ON!!!! Not sure if Sandy considered to be worse than Katrina...but we here in NJ at this time of year definitely have the "cold weather" factor working against us. The structures are there, in place and the govt. still finds a way to drag their feet and extend the wait for many people who need a place to stay...
Tagg Romneystein November 29, 2012 at 08:11 pm
Why is it up to the FedGov to take care of these people and give them shelter? It has been a month. I guess you are the 47% Romney was talking about.
Katnypp November 29, 2012 at 08:27 pm
No one is saying "give" them shelter. They can charge a "fair" rent. Obviously YOU have never been in a natural disaster. So you need a clue, there NO place to rent here. They are either occupied or destroyed. These people need to stay somewhere in the area so they can continue to fix or rebuild their own homes, so they can get back in and out of the provided relief housing. Don't you dare accuse people who have worked for everything, only to lose it, of being the 47% you ignorant ass. I voted for Romney. He WON in Monmouth and Ocean county. (the area that would be helped by opening Ft Monmouth housing temporarily) No one here is looking for a handout, just a helping hand up.
Tagg Romneystein November 29, 2012 at 08:39 pm
There are plenty of places to rent or your insurance company will put a trailer on your lawn. People need to be self sufficient and figure it out on their own and not look for the government to help them.
rosemary sternbach November 29, 2012 at 09:01 pm
There seems to be plenty more available temporary housing space at the Fort....
marylou November 29, 2012 at 09:04 pm
Most of the homes that are vacant in the winter,namely summer rentals,are gone.Homeowners who have vacant homes and are trying to sell them are probably reluctant to rent to those who are displaced because they want their homes to be available to pres[ective buyers.If you had a home for sale,you need the renters to leave before you can have a closing.
Martin V Smith November 29, 2012 at 09:14 pm
Lot of the housing on the now defunct fort have signs on the doors indicating asbestos hazrds within.
Katnypp November 29, 2012 at 09:33 pm
Martin: I have only driven past the Fort numerous times. I have not seen the signs, or would not have been able to read the signs from my car. Has that news been published or cited from a reliable source? I don't recall there ever being an issue with asbestos when the Fort was open a few years ago? I cannot find any information regarding that issue now. From what I read the housing was already inspected and approved . "Inspectors gave good grades to the seven lodging buildings along the river in Oceanport, including 300 units which could ultimately house 600 to 900 people, as well the 21 “McGill” housing buildings at the nearby golf course, which include 42 family living units" Anyone else hear anything contradictory?
ELAINE November 29, 2012 at 10:36 pm
HI, I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. THAT GUY OR WHATEVER HE IS, IS AN IDIOT WHO DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
Dominick Palermo November 29, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Martin------You must have some real good vision to read a sign on a door 200 yds inside the gate lololololol
Mary Hussey November 30, 2012 at 01:48 am
Unfortunately, those units off of Hope Rd were allowed to deteriorate to the point of condemnation, which is utterly disgraceful. They were in bad shape when Katrina happened, and there's been nothing done since. I wouldn't stay there - the mold alone must be astronomical.
I have spoken November 30, 2012 at 05:59 am
Three weeks, shame on you all. That is ridiciliously too freaken long.
me November 30, 2012 at 06:25 am
just a question, but does anyone have an idea on how this lottery thing is going down? I talked to a few guys from FEMA & they acted like they knew nothing about this. I read on a couple sites that officals were talking with people still in shelters. But what about those of us that are in hotels? We're in need of housing too. Are we being considered for this or is it only the people that chose to stay in the shelters vs those who chose to stay in a hotel?
Clsjh November 30, 2012 at 11:41 am
About the fort housing: just a guess but it sounds as if when FEMA reps did phone interviews a couple of weeks back, the determined who would need it. I think I answered the questions wrong:(. About there being all of these houses to rent, tagg must be in a dreamland. Time after time and house after house we've had the response that homeowners don't want to rent for less than a year because they have to pay a realtor fee each time. Try explaining THAT one to my daughter
Sal November 30, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Our Governor and our local politicians are all on the bandwagon in being critical of JCPL for taking 2 weeks to replace thousands of utility poles and hundreds of transformers and thousands of miles of wiring. Yet the politicians tell us they need MORE TIME to house the homeless at Ft. Monmouth. It has already been 4 weeks and now they say we need MORE time and far less units than we promised at the fort will be available. Excuses and delays is all the politicians and government are good for.
Katie Johnson December 1, 2012 at 01:35 am
@marylou, most of the people in MONMOUTH County live in their homes year round. Ocean County may be a different story. Blanket statements like that are not wise. I for one own my home, had flooding and am displaced.
LORI VON OHLEN December 1, 2012 at 11:47 pm
FYI, I AM HEARING FROM MANY ON FACEBOOK, THEY ARE CALLING FEMA AND REGISTERING OR THEY ALREADY HAVE ASSISTANCE BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE HOUSING OF FORT MONMOUTH. I SAW THE ARTICLE WHERE THE MAYOR SAID THERE AREN'T MANY FOLKS TRYING TO GET IN THERE. THERE IS SOME DISCONNECT SOMEWHERE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I REALIZE ITS A "LOTTERY' OF SORTS BUT FOLKS ARE VERY CONFUSED. MAY WANT TO ADDRESS THAT.
Willona Woods December 2, 2012 at 01:23 am
your caps button stuck ?
jane December 3, 2012 at 04:21 am
I asked for this housing weeks ago and since to FEMA and was told they know nothing! I called gov Christies office and they said sign up with FEMA what is wrong with this picture? Where is Obama and the help they promised 45 rentals only 1 bedroom are they serious? They didn't include me on this and it's noted many times on my FEMA account! This is a tragedy beyond that will not go away
cathy williams December 8, 2012 at 05:09 pm
Jane, apparently you are still homeless. what is your status?? wondering if I can help
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