FEMA extends housing assistance three months

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will extend the state of New Jersey’s request for temporary housing assistance for residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy for an additional three months.

Temporary housing assistance from FEMA automatically expires eighteen months from the original date of a major disaster declaration. Congressman Pallone had originally asked that FEMA extend assistance for an additional six months.

“More than a year after the storm, countless New Jersey residents are still struggling to repair and elevate their homes,” said Congressman Pallone. “Although this extension is not ideal, it will help many residents who are still working to rebuild. If people lose their temporary housing assistance, many will be unable to afford to pay rent for temporary housing in addition to their mortgage while their home is being repaired. I am grateful that FEMA recognizes the importance of these ongoing efforts in New Jersey, but we must continue fighting to help those still dealing with the disastrous impacts of Superstorm Sandy.”

Last month, Congressman Pallone wrote to President Obama asking the he grant a sixth-month extension of the program. According to Section 408 of the Stafford Act, the President may extend the period of temporary housing assistance if he “determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an extension would be in the public interest.”

Numerous local residents are still not back in their homes following Superstorm Sandy. Some of them have been staying at Fort Monmouth. Local communities had joined Pallone in asking Obama to grant the extension.