Stafford Opts Into FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program
Limited grant money to raise homes may be coming, but requirements could be prohibitive.
Stafford Township Council last night unanimously adopted a resolution to participate in the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
According to FEMA, the program was established to “present a critical opportunity to reduce the risk of individuals and property from natural disasters while simultaneously reducing reliance on federal disaster funds.”
The funds will be granted to the state, which will then distribute them to local governments and eventually to those who applied in those municipalities, said Administrator James Moran while explaining the procedure to apply.
Applicants must file a notarized letter of intent and an agreement of terms document with the township by Feb. 10th, said Moran, who added the township must have all applications turned in to the state by Feb. 15th.
“We needed to run the documents past our attorney to make sure we were in full compliance with FEMA regulations and that they explained the responsibilities and obligations an applicant was agreeing to by filing,” said Moran, addressing the short timeframe after the meeting. In addition, the township’s participation needed to be enacted by formal council action and the meeting was the first opportunity to do so, he added.
In addition to these documents, applicants must also provide a detailed description of the proposed mitigation measures, - such as raising a home - estimated costs and any other supporting information that may assist the grant reviewer.
“Applying does not guarantee you get a grant,” said Moran. He pointed out that the funds are very limited and will be distributed to all areas affected by Sandy. For example, Moran said, after Hurricane Irene last year, one New Jersey town had more than 220 applicants and only 20 grants were awarded.
Grants can be applied even if homeowners are eleigible for ICC (Incresed Cost of Compliance) fund through their flood insurance policies, he added.
Applicants who are awarded a grant will be responsible for 25% or more of the cost of the mitigation and those funds may be put in escrow with the township upon receipt of the grant, said Moran.
The agreement letter, which is based on FEMA regulations, calls for all applicants to insure their property will be repaired or rebuilt in full compliance with Stafford Township’s building ordinances, as well as the state’s Uniform Construction Code and current FEMA Flood Zone Requirements.
The grant funds can not be used for administrative fees or construction costs associated to the mitigation such as running new electrical and plumbing service to a house that is being raised, said Moran.
The township will grant a temporary Certificate of Occupancy for six months to all applicants, said Moran. Should a property not be in full compliance with all regulations, regardless of getting a grant or not, within six months the CO will be revoked, according to the terms of the agreement.
The application and letter are now available in the township administrator’s and construction offices and are going up on the township’s website, said Moran.
At least three island municipalties, Beach Haven, Ship Bottom and Long Beach Township have already annouced plans to also participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Residents and homeowners in these locations should check with their municipalities or visit their Web sites for more information.
Jon Q. Public
8:42 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Can someone please explain - Little Egg is refusing to comply with the FEMA Flood Maps as per committeeman Ed Nuttall said, "we live in a free country, and freedom means choices. It's not the governments job to dictate to it's citizens. FEMA sets the (flkood insurance) rates, but FEMA is not telling oyu what to do. One thing I am learning: There are a lot of different abilities financially for citizens in our town. We want to give you as much freedom as possible to make your decisions". So if the township says that a lagoon front homeowner with a rancher doesn't have to raise the house, then that person would still qualify for insurance under the federal flood program? Is that correct?
Karen M
12:31 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
The grant is a great thing for people, but what about the rest of us who won't get that grant. If only 20 people out of 220 are getting this grant it doesn't help those of us who will be left out in the cold. I know that my home will have to be raised and I don't have an extra $15,000 or more laying around to pay for the quoted $45,000 and up that I've been quoted. How does the governement (Fema) think that we are going to comply with these new flood zones and still be able to stay in our homes? If we don't we are now going to face exorbitant rates that will almost certainly force people out of their homes. Who will be able to afford insurance at $10,000 a year? I feel like I'm living a nightmare and it just keeps on getting worse.
KRaz
12:31 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
I agree w/Father Sarducci ... If I read this correctly, I apply for the grant and if I don't receive the grant I will have to pay the 30+K to raise my house. I'm applying for the grant because I don't have to money to raise my house. Most residents in BHW are seniors and cannot afford to raise their homes, most can't afford to fix them either.
Meredeth
7:15 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
This is all so confusing to me. I was just at the FEMA site earlier today and the person I talked to didn't even suggest applying for this grant, but he did tell us about the ICC. we are eligible for 30,000 to raise the house through our flood insurance. The above article basically says that one thing has nothing to do with the other. That we can apply for the grant even if we are eligible for the ICC. I'm confused as to why the grant wasn't mentioned today and if it would even be worth it to apply. I haven't gotten the estimate yet on raising my house, but I'm sure it will be more than the 30,000 we're going to get from insurance. I wish all this stuff was easier to understand. I don't know what to do now.
John Eric Mangino
9:21 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Part One ..
This is almost has become almost in fact I would say a crime . @TR Your right listien Folks if this six month thing is correct . First of all why notarized, Second there something dirty in this six month CO thing . basically Steve as your explaining this is if you enter the lottery and lose you can not legally live in our home ... Is that what your saying ? Also These forms you say are on the website dont exist . give us the direct link .. I cant give advise on this till i know more one thing I would suggest contact your Mortgage companies , Advise them of what is happening in detail . Make them an offer settle your loan . Because in the long run there going to have absorb the Insurance because you will not be abile to afford it .
John Eric Mangino
9:21 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Part Two ...
Dont sell your home for penny"s on the dollar To any one and especially Walter's homes seek legal consulting before signing sending or filling out this grant form . You need in writing that one if your house lets say isn't raised in the six month time frame the temporary CO is one extended our two granted a full co. Grandfathered from your last if you have done no construction other than the repairs needed live in your home again You dont need a CO . remember if you own your home you do not have to have Flood insurance . And the currious part of all this is your raising your home to mitigate future flood damage and the heights we are raising to as long as you dont fill the underneath of the house with Junk which usually isn't covered anyway , Why would we need flood insurance , Fema and the town need to have a co meeting this next Town meeting Fema Needs to be AT that meeting and Building department heads and Flood planner needs to be on hand In fact this needs to Be a seprate meeting period for Township residents only . No outside contractors, No developers
Just residents effected by the Storm .. ONLY >> Fema, Town administer. Building Department. heads . Flood Manger . this is the only responsible think to do thing to do .
hbdanbo
10:10 am on Sunday, January 27, 2013
One recent article quoted the Township Administrator saying that current homeowners would be able to get a c/o without elevating their house as long as the house was properly repaired. However, if you wanted to sell in the future, they would not issue a c/o to the new owner without it being elevated. I don't believe current owners would be required to buy flood insurance unless it's a condition of their mortgage (in those cases, it may be cheaper in the long run to elevate the house). Maybe The Patch can do a follow up article on this?
Dolores Alders
11:26 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Reading the application it appears the grant is only for homeowners who are are raising their current house and not those who want to knock down their house and build a new one. Does anyone have any idea about this?
John Eric Mangino
6:38 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
You know its so mis leading iCC you can use to for flood midigation including tearing down your home or raising it . You can use it Toward that . Now for some reason the same exact amount money if its a grant can only be used to raise your home . Its like every single thing else none will simply state what you can do or right it down . Like this article stating 6 month Co for your house if you join the lottery down town . first why would you need a temporary co if your house is beng raised . , Im sorry ill look into the answers for you in the morning , Im still looking for the application on line