FEMA Temporary Housing Relief Extended in New Jersey

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended temporary housing relief to New Jersey victims of Superstorm Sandy through July, officials announced Wednesday.

Housing assistance normally ends 18 months after a disaster strikes, but Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) said he wrote to President Barack Obama requesting an extra six months. The federal government agreed to an extra three months.

"Although this extension is not ideal, it will help many residents who are still working to rebuild," Pallone said in a statement.

The housing assistance program had been set to end April 30.

"This is great news for so many folks who are still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of Sandy," said state Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth) in a statement. "My office gets calls every day from families who are still waiting to start rebuilding and unsure of what to do if their housing assistance is not extended. This will offer them a little relief during a very difficult time."

The housing assistance extension means that displaced families living in housing at Fort Monmouth will be able to stay there at least through July.

"Monmouth County is lucky to have that housing available and I was proud to work with state and federal officials to ensure that the Fort was available to displaced residents," said O'Scanlon.

Housing assistance can still be extended after the three months are up, Pallone's office said. Under the federal Stafford Act, the president can issue additional extensions if he "determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an extension would be in the public interest."