NEW YORK – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced Monday that there are three disaster recovery programs currently available to tenants and homeowners affected by Hurricane Ida.
These three Ida Recovery Programs are the third phase of the Murphy administration’s Ida Recovery Strategy, which focuses on helping families and communities that still need help due to the damaging effects of the storm that hit New Jersey in September 2021.
“We recognize how incredibly disruptive the effects of Hurricane Ida have been on communities and families in its path,” said Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, who is DCA Commissioner. “We are asking those affected by Ida who are still recovering and need help to seek assistance from programs. Our mission is to help as many families as possible so they can get back on the right track. way and get on the path to a better and safer life.” housing solution.
Residents still live in fear of not being ready for another event. Rosarina Breton with the details.
The following programs started operating from Monday, February 27:
Tenant Rental Assistance Program (TBRA)
The program will help cover rental housing costs for low-income families affected by Hurricane Ida and make rental housing more affordable for them. Families must live in one of the following declared disaster counties: Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union and Warren.
Preliminary applications for TBRA are available online. A preliminary application can also be requested from TBRA at (609) 913-4252 or by email at [email protected].
TBRA program staff will review preliminary applications and recommend families who meet the criteria to submit a final application.
Homeowner Relief and Recovery Program (HARP)
The program will provide funding to owner-occupied residential homes to help them repair, raise and, in some cases, rebuild their primary homes damaged by Hurricane Ida.
Families must have been occupants and owners of the property on the date of the hurricane. Primary residences must be located in one of the following declared disaster counties: Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union and Warren.
HARP applications are available online. They can also request a HARP request from the DCA Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, Office of Constituent Services at (609) 292-3750 or by email at [email protected].
Housing Counseling and Legal Services Program
The program will provide a wide range of support services to tenants and homeowners affected by Hurricane Ida to help them recover from the effects of the hurricane. Services range from assessing housing needs, to reviewing family finances, to identifying available resources to help people apply for disaster recovery programs.
Further information about the program is available online. You can also call (609) 619-4463 or email [email protected] for more information about accessing services.
Other complementary programs are under development and will start in the coming months. For more information about DCA’s Ida recovery programs, it is recommended to visit this website.
The three new programs are included in the HUD-approved Hurricane Ida Action Plan for New Jersey with $228 million in CDBG-DR funds allocated for recovery actions due to Ida. The action plan was developed in consultation with New Jersey residents, county and city officials, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders, as well as feedback received by DCA from countless individuals who have completed the action plan.