Last Day to Apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Funds is March 15

Homeowners who want a shot at receiving funds from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation program must file by Friday, March 15 in order to be considered.

Hazard Mitigation program funds are limited. Municipalities throughout the state will compete against each other for the federal funding used for elevation, demolition or acquisition

Residents with questions can contact in the Department of Planning Community Development at (732) 615-2282. Information, and the form, can be found here. 

Original story published March 7: 

Of the 1,200 to 1,500 homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Middletown Township mostly in Port Monmouth, Leonardo, Belford and North Middletown, 250 of them suffered "substantial" damage in the Oct. 29 storm, according to Township Business Administrator Anthony P. Mercantante.

In recent weeks the township sent certified letters to the 250 property owners to determine their level of interest in the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which assists owners of substantially damaged properties with the costs associated with elevating structures in flood hazard areas above base flood elevation.

"So far we've had a very good response, actually," said Mercantante at the Township Committee meeting Monday. "The vast majority are interested in participating." 

As of March 6 deadline, about 200 applications have been sent to the Department of Planning and Community Development at 3 Penelope Lane, said the department's John Barree. "We're still hoping to hear from 50 more," he said.

Some of the certified letters were returned as undeliverable, and the office has made efforts to redirect the letters. Some have responded directly to the form posted on the township website. 

Barree urged anyone who with a "substantially damaged" structure to fill the form best they can and send it in.  

"Even if people think they might not be eligible, it won't hurt to turn in a form and give us information about their situation, so if anything else comes up we can connect them with resources in our database," Barree said.