Oceanport Asks For Housing Extension For Sandy Victims Living at Fort Monmouth

By Christopher Sheldon

Oceanport is asking FEMA to extend the amount of time Hurricane Sandy victims can live in the housing it has provided at Fort Monmouth.

The Oceanport Council passed a resolution during its Thursday night meeting requesting that the April 1, 2014 termination date be extended by six months. The resolution was also recently passed by the Sea Bright Council. 

"Numerous citizens of the Boroughs’ of Oceanport and Sea Bright...have been displaced from their homes as a result of damage sustained from Super Storm Sandy," the resolution states. "Many of these residents require substantial repairs or total replacement of their homes."

The resolution states that, "delays to commencement of construction have been created by the Federal, State and local governments as a result of new flood mapping; insurance claims and new building regulations, creating an additional hardship on these displaced residents."

Oceanport Council President Joseph Irace said there are still 2-3 residents from Oceanport living on the fort.

Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon said the state has been working with the residents to help them find new residences through a rental assistance program. He said this would hopefully make the extension of the deadline a moot point. 

"The pace is different for everyone," Mahon said. "So we have to take this step just in case."

The resolution passed by Oceanport and Sea Bright will be sent to Gov. Chris Christie, Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Assemblywoman, Amy H. Handlin, Assemblyman, Declan J. O’Scanlon, Jr., the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the neighboring municipalities of Little Silver, West Long Branch, Rumson, Fair Haven, Eatontown, Shrewsbury Borough and Monmouth Beach.