Funds to Help Brick Storm Victims Are Available

Brick Township announced Thursday that it has an opportunity to secure grants to assist citizens with housing rehabilitation after Superstorm Sandy.

The grants, which are being offered to organizations, are between $100,000 and $1,000,000. 

Those grants will be distributed to homeowners in order to provide help to needy or distressed households so they can make their homes habitable – or to help them secure temporary housing. 

Households are considered "needy or distressed" if they have suffered financial harm or the loss of safe, stable housing due to Hurricane Sandy and have demonstrated financial need, the township said in a statement Thursday.

The grant program will be coodinated by Rehabco Associates, which coordinates the township’s housing rehabilitation and Community Development Block Grant programs. Residents are being asked to contact Rehabco, which will apply for the grants based on information citizens provide.

"We have been made aware that there is an opportunity to get funding for people in need," said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis. "There are many families in Brick Township who could benefit greatly from these grants.  We need these families to contact Rehabco."

The grants are for primary residences only, and qualifying for FEMA assistance is not required.

Funds must be used to help return a home to habitability if appropriate, help those in need secure new homes, or provide temporary housing. To be deemed habitable, after repair a residence must have ample heat, hot water and electricity, be free of mold, with living quarters that have walls, floors, windows and doors in place. 

Funds may also be used for housing-related necessities, such as electrical and heating services, mortgage or rental payments, new mattresses or other essential furniture, appliances and house wares. 

Non-housing related essential expenses such as appropriate winter clothes and shoes, food and other basics of daily living can also be supported.

Rehabco can be reached at 732-477-7750.