Politics & Government

Little Silver Homeowners Looking To Elevate Homes May Now Have to Apply For Funds Themselves

Borough officials originally thought grant it applied for would cover residents

The process to elevate a home in Little Silver may have just gotten a little more complicated.

The borough applied to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) on behalf of the residents to receive Federal funds to elevate dwellings, but is now being told residents may have to apply individually to be eligible for grant money.

Stacie Mesuda, of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), spoke during Monday night's Little Silver Council and tried to explain and clarify the process of applying.

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"We don't as a town want to give out any bad information," Mayor Robert C. Neff, Jr. said. "Is it fair to tell (residents) now that they should expect to number one apply on their own for HMPG funds to raise their house."

"It's a little bit unclear right now," Mesuda said. "It sounds like they are going to try to streamline things where you will fill out one application (for HMPG or Community Block Development Grants)."

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mesuda said residents may also be able to get money to raise their homes solely through the CBDG grant process.

"The tough thing with grants is that we don't have a lot of answers quite yet," Mesuda said. "I don't want to overpromise something and then have our plan come out and have it be squashed."

The HMPG grant is expected cover up to 75% of the cost to elevate a dwelling.  The property owner will be responsible for the remaining 25% which may be offset by the Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Assistance Program.

Councilman Richard Scott said many residents have not done anything with their homes that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy, because they are not sure what type of funding is available and when it will become available.

"People are sitting and waiting and they're not hearing anything," Scott said.

Mesuda said there are people across the state that are in a similar situation.

"We realize there are people who haven't even opened the doors to their homes yet," Mesuda said. "We are well aware and are trying to speed this process up. You guys are not alone in being frustrated."


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