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New Jersey owners of small rental properties damaged by Hurricane Ida can apply for zero-interest forgivable loans to fix up their homes under the Small Rental Repair Program launched Monday, more than a year and a half after the storm struck the state.
Owners with properties that have seven units or fewer who provide affordable rents for low- to moderate-income families — those earning at or below 80% of the county median income — are eligible for assistance.
Loans will be limited to $50,000 per rental unit for repairs. Properties that require elevation may receive up to $100,000 per unit through the program, funded with the federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding.
Apply by June 5
Homeowners can apply from April 3, 2023, to June 5 by visiting https://bit.ly/3m3drDw. Applicants can call 609-292-3750 or email DisasterRecoveryandMitigation@dca.nj.gov for more information.
Applicants’ homes must have sustained $8,000 in damages from Ida or at least one foot of flooding, and be located in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, or Warren counties.
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Funds to make repairs, elevate a structure, improve drainage
Owners can use the funds to make repairs, elevate or strengthen the structure, improve drainage to prevent future flooding, or add ramps, lifts or roll-in shower stalls to make their units more accessible. The type of assistance is weighed on a case-by-case basis by the Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation. Homeowners must have outstanding repairs and work; the program does not reimburse for work completed before submitting an application.
Property owners in the program and their tenants are required to use housing and legal counseling services. Tenants are eligible for relocation assistance during the time the rental is under construction.
Other programs available
Additional Ida relief programs remain open:
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program: Low-income renters who are still displaced from Ida, at risk of becoming homeless, or living in housing that is not “safe, stable, sanitary or affordable” can apply for a subsidy to help cover their rent, utilities, application fees or security deposits. The subsidy will exceed 30% of the renters’ monthly income, and families must earn 120% or less of the county’s median income or be collecting any other subsidy. The application is open until June 1 at http://bit.ly/3nIMENj, by calling 609-913-4252 or emailing DRM.TBRA@dca.nj.gov.
- Homeowner Assistance Recovery Program (HARP): Families earning up to $250,000 can apply for funds to restore their storm-damaged homes, such as reconstruction, utility retrofits, or elevation. Homeowners can apply through May 1 at tinyurl.com/IDAharp or by calling 609-292-3750 to request a paper application or complete the form over the phone.
Why did it take so long?
This particular pot of money from Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds requires congressional action and layers of approval each time a disaster strikes, meaning storm survivors are often waiting years before they receive the help they need. Grassroots groups have called for making it a permanent program that disburses funds immediately.
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