reNew Jersey Stronger

reNew Jersey Stronger

What You Need To Know About “reNew Jersey Stronger”

The Christie Administration’s Launch of “reNew Jersey Stronger” Housing Assistance Initiative Makes $780 Million Available for Homeowners Impacted by Super Storm Sandy

Marking a major step forward in the recovery from Super Storm Sandy, the Christie Administration last week launched the “reNew Jersey Stronger” housing assistance initiative that makes $780 million dollars in grants available to homeowners impacted by the storm. The grants are designed to encourage homeowners to resettle in their primary residences and help them reconstruct, rehabilitate, elevate and mitigate their homes.

TWO PROGRAMS FOR YOU

Under the “reNew Jersey Stronger” housing initiative, homeowners whose primary residences were damaged by the storm in the nine most-impacted counties ( Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union ) are encouraged to apply for both of the following grant programs:

Homeowner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program	Homeowner Resettlement Program
WHAT: This $600 million program will provide eligible homeowners up to $150,000 in grant funds to aid the reconstruction, rehabilitation, elevation and mitigation of damaged primary homes .	WHAT: This $180 million program is aimed at encouraging Sandy-impacted homeowners to remain in the nine counties that were most seriously affected by the storm . This program will provide $10,000 grants to eligible homeowners to encourage them to resettle in their existing primary home or resettle in the same county.
WHY: The program is intended to fill the gap between the costs needed to repair the damaged home and other sources of funds the homeowner has received to repair their home such as insurance payments or assistance from FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration.	WHY: This program will help to restore home values and stabilize many devastated communities.
WHO: The homeowner must have a household adjusted gross annual income of less than $250,000.	WHO: The homeowner must have sustained at least $8,000 in damages or more than one foot of flooding on the first floor to their residence as a result of Sandy.
HOW: A RREM contractor will determine the amount of work that is required to repair the damaged home in order to meet required state and local housing quality standards. The RREM contractor will then select qualified builders to make the repairs and take responsibility for obtaining the necessary approvals for the construction.	HOW: Homeowners must agree to remain in the county of their damaged residence for three consecutive years following the grant award.