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By the Numbers: Flood Recovery in New Mexico on Schedule as Partners Collaborate & Coordinate

SANTA FE – Less than two months after two presidential disaster declarations, one approved on Oct. 6 followed by an amendment on Oct. 24 for July 27 – August 5 flooding, and the other approved on Oct. 29 for September 15-26 flooding, recovery partners are already seeing great progress through collaboration and coordination.

The earlier declaration designated six counties and two pueblos eligible for federal aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program. Those counties and pueblos include Guadalupe, Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Miguel and Sandoval, and the Pueblo of Acoma and Santa Clara Pueblo. The latter declaration designated eight counties under the same federal assistance program. Those counties include Colfax, Eddy, Lincoln, Lea, Otero, Santa Fe, San Miguel and Sierra.

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NM DHSEM) and FEMA, partners in the state’s recovery from the summer flooding, provide the following ‘by the numbers’ summary of disaster efforts as of November 17, 2014:

Number Information

2 Federal Declarations in New Mexico for Summer Flooding

4 Pueblos Requesting Public Assistance Funding

11 Counties Designated in both Declarations

55 Entities Requesting Public Assistance Funding

200 Estimated Recovery Projects for both Declarations

Eligible applicants include state agencies, tribal and local governments, community ditch associations, and certain private nonprofits. Eligible work may include debris removal, emergency protective measures taken to save life and property, repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, contents and utilities and repairs to parks and recreational facilities. Learn more about the Public Assistance program at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-eligibility.

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More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/. DHSEM is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. Follow DHSEM on Twitter @NMDHSEM.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Find more information at www.fema.gov/disaster/4197 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4199. Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter @femaregion6.

Original article:

By the Numbers: Flood Recovery in New Mexico on Schedule as Partners Collaborate & Coordinate

Disaster Assistance Exceeds $12 Million for South Napa Earthquake

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State and federal disaster assistance now totals $12.1 million for those affected by the South Napa Earthquake. The current total includes $5.6 million in grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), as well as $6.5 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

A recap of the disaster recovery operation by the numbers, as of Nov. 16:

Households Registered: 3,142
Total Grants Approved: $5,670,654
• Housing Assistance Grants: $5,397,952
• Other Needs Assistance Grants: $272,702

SBA Loans Approved: 145
• Home Loans: 142
• Business Loans: 3
Total SBA Loans: $6,525,500

Disaster Recovery Centers:

• Napa Earthquake Local Assistance Center – 301 First Street, Napa, CA 94559
• Solano County Disaster Recovery Center – 1155 Capitol Street, Vallejo, CA 94590

Center Visitors: 1,444
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., until further notice. Closed Nov. 27-28.

FEMA Inspections Completed: 2,592

Homeowners and renters in Napa and Solano Counties who had damage from the South Napa Earthquake have until Dec. 29, 2014 to apply for disaster assistance from FEMA. Disaster assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the SBA for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Disaster recovery officials urge those who registered with FEMA and received an SBA loan application to complete and return the application. Doing so will ensure the applicants are considered for the full range of disaster assistance that may be available to them.
SBA serves as the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps fund repair or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.
Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000—with interest rates as low as 2.063 percent—for the repair or replacement of their primary residence not fully compensated by insurance. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 with interest rates as low as 2.063 percent for replacement of personal property, including vehicles.
Businesses and nonprofits may apply to borrow up to $2 million for the following:
• Business Physical Disaster Loans—Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) –Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Homeowners and renters who apply for an SBA loan and are declined, as well as those who are not issued a loan application, may be referred to the FEMA Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant program. Homeowners and renters must return the SBA application, if they receive one, to be considered for ONA.

ONA provides reimbursements for personal property losses, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage fees, and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. FEMA provides 75 percent of the funding for ONA, and Cal OES provides 25 percent.

To apply for assistance, register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or VRS may call 800-621-3362.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline/Registration. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. Phone lines remain open 7 a.m to 10 p.m. (PT) Sun.-Sat. until further notice.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams

Two six-person DSA teams continue to visit quake-damaged communities. The teams include eight young adults – ages 18 to 24 – from FEMA Corps, who work alongside FEMA employees to help communities recover from disasters. On assignment in Napa and Solano counties, the teams are stationed at community centers or walking door-to-door to speak to residents and business owners.

To date, DSA teams have registered 151 residents, updated 101 FEMA applications, completed 170 case inquiries and referred 252 people to other community resources.

Apply to Qualify

To be eligible for federal disaster assistance—such as disaster grants and loans—at least one member of a household must be a U.S. citizen, Qualified Alien or non-citizen national with a Social Security number. Disaster assistance may be available to a household if a parent or guardian applies on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen or a Qualified Alien. FEMA will only need to know the immigration status and Social Security number of the child.

Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Social Security Disability Insurance.

Those who suspect someone of engaging in unscrupulous activity should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies.

For unmet disaster-related needs, the United Way operates 2-1-1 that covers Napa and Solano Counties. Available 24/7 in 150 languages, the Bay Area 211 helpline connects callers with hundreds of programs to help people find food, housing, healthcare, senior services, childcare, legal aid and more.

For more information on the California disaster recovery, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Cal OES protects lives and property, builds capabilities and supports our communities for a resilient California. Cal OES achieves its mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Source:

Disaster Assistance Exceeds $12 Million for South Napa Earthquake

Disaster Recovery Centers Announce New Hours of Operation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State and federal officials announced a change of hours for the disaster recovery centers, which serve individuals affected by the South Napa Earthquake. Since Oct. 31, nearly 1,100 people have visited the centers:

Napa Earthquake Local Assistance Center
301 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559

Solano County Disaster Recovery Center
1155 Capitol Street, Vallejo, CA 94590

The centers are now closed Sundays due to decreased demand, based on the number of visitors. The centers remain open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays until further notice. In observance of Thanksgiving, the centers will be closed Nov. 27-28.

At the centers, visitors can meet face-to-face with specialists from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

During a visit to a center, visitors may:
• Discuss their individual disaster-related needs
• Submit any additional documentation needed, such as occupancy or ownership verification documents and letters from insurance companies
• Find out the status of an application
• Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners
• Meet with FEMA hazard mitigation specialists to learn about reducing future disaster losses and rebuilding safer and stronger

People who sustained losses or damages due to the earthquake may also apply for disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Or applicants may call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 711-Relay or VRS) or 800-462-7585 (TTY).

Phone lines remain open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PT) Sun.-Sat. until further notice. Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA Helpline/Registration. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

People should register with FEMA before going to a disaster recovery center, if possible. For visitors with a disability or functional need, the centers may have amplified telephones, magnifiers and assistive listening devices. American Sign Language Interpreters are available upon request.

If other accommodations are needed during any part of the application process, please ask any FEMA or Cal OES employee for assistance.

People do not need to visit a center to receive disaster assistance. Disaster assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses, not covered by insurance or other sources.

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

For more information on California disaster recovery, go www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
The Cal OES protects lives and property, build capabilities and support our communities for a resilient California. Cal OES achieves its mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Link:

Disaster Recovery Centers Announce New Hours of Operation

FEMA Continues to Inspect Quake-Damaged Homes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors have completed more than 2,000 inspections of homes damaged or destroyed by the South Napa Earthquake. Homeowners and renters in Napa and Solano counties became eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance on Oct. 27 following the presidential declaration for Individual Assistance. FEMA must verify damages for every application.

Those affected by the South Napa Earthquake have until Dec. 29 to apply for disaster assistance. Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for rent, essential home repairs, personal property replacement or other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Damage inspections are free and generally take 30 to 45 minutes. They are conducted by FEMA contract inspectors who have construction and/or appraisal expertise and have received disaster-specific training. Each inspector displays official photo identification.

Inspectors document the damage but do not determine the resident’s eligibility for disaster assistance. They check for damage to the building structure and its systems, major appliances and any damaged septic systems and wells. Residents should tell the inspector about other important losses such as clothing, personal property, medical equipment, tools needed for a trade, and educational materials.

Inspectors then relay this information to FEMA on their handheld tablet, which they call their inspector pad. They use their pads to download work assignments and communicate throughout the day.

Applicants are reminded to keep the contact information on their applications current so an inspector can reach them. To update their information, applicants should call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Contact information can also be updated online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

FEMA procedures for home inspections follow:
• An inspector calls the applicant to set up an appointment at a mutually convenient time and advises the applicant of documentation needed to complete the inspection, such as insurance policies and photo identification.

• The inspector tries a minimum of three times to contact the applicant. The inspector will call at different times on different days in the hope of finding someone at home.

• If attempts to reach the applicant are unsuccessful, the inspector posts a letter on the applicant’s door with a phone number to call for an appointment.

• If applicants have relocated to another area and cannot return for the mandatory damage inspection, they can authorize an agent or proxy to be present on their behalf.

• As part of the inspection process, homeowners will be asked to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill, deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy showing the property’s address. Renters must show proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters must also be prepared to show a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

To speed the inspection process, applicants should:
• Make sure their home address number can be easily seen from the road.
• Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
• Stay in touch with FEMA, which may include telling neighbors where they can be contacted.
• Let FEMA know during the registration process if they need a reasonable accommodation, such as an American Sign Language interpreter, during the inspection.

If applicants discover additional damage to their property, they can request another inspection by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.

Besides the above personnel, residents and businesses may be visited by loss verifiers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, insurance adjustors, and local building officials, as well as others involved in the recovery process. Building officials typically charge fees for permits, though these are sometimes waived after disasters.

FEMA inspectors do not tag dwellings. FEMA inspectors must follow written guidelines to perform inspections on dwellings previously tagged as unsafe to enter or unsafe to occupy by local officials.

For more information on California disaster recovery, go www.fema.gov/disaster/4193.

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Continued –

FEMA Continues to Inspect Quake-Damaged Homes

Nov 28 is Deadline for Eligible Entities to Request Public Assistance Funding for Sept Flooding

SANTA FE – Getting disaster aid quickly into the hands of eligible applicants affected by September 15-26 flooding in New Mexico starts with the first step – informing state and federal recovery officials that Public Assistance funding is needed.

State agencies, tribal governments, certain nonprofit organizations, community ditch associations and other local government entities in Colfax, Eddy, Lincoln, Lea, Otero, Santa Fe and Sierra counties affected by the September floods have until November 28 to submit the appropriate forms to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NM DHSEM).

Officials who have questions about making a Request for Public Assistance and upcoming Applicant Briefing schedules should contact Brian Williams at 505-476-9601.

Federal grants are reimbursed to eligible applicants for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repairing of public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public utilities. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA pays 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant are responsible for the remaining 25 percent. Find details of the Public Assistance program at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

“The first step to getting disaster aid is for eligible entities to let us know that they need the assistance” said State Coordinating Officer Beverley Simpson.

“The quicker we know which agencies, governments, organizations and associations are requesting Public Assistance, the quicker the process results in much needed funding in the hands of these impacted entities,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper.

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Nov 28 is Deadline for Eligible Entities to Request Public Assistance Funding for Sept Flooding

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Arizona Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 6, 2014

Release Number:

HQ-14-097-FactSheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Arizona.

Assistance for the State, Tribal and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments on a cost-sharing basis (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal, and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state, tribal, and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

November 6, 2014 – 11:59

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Arizona

Related Disaster:

Arizona Severe Storms and Flooding

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Arizona Declaration

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Nevada Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 6, 2014

Release Number:

HQ-14-096-FactSheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of Nevada.

Assistance for the State, Tribal and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments on a cost-sharing basis (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal, and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state, tribal, and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

Last Updated:

November 6, 2014 – 11:49

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Nevada

Related Disaster:

Nevada Severe Storms and Flooding

Original article:

Federal Aid Programs for the State of Nevada Declaration

Hurricane Sandy: After Two Years, $6.67 Billion, FEMA Continues N.J. Recovery

EATONTOWN, N.J. – Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall Oct. 29, 2012, FEMA, in partnership with the federal family and state and local governments, has been on the scene helping individuals, government entities and eligible non-profits as New Jersey recovers from the storm’s devastation.

FEMA has funded more than 5,185 Public Assistance projects including repairing and restoring hospitals, schools, waterways, parks, beaches, marinas, water treatment plants and public buildings. A roster of services has been restored, including utilities critical to everyday life. Billions of federal dollars have been expended during the past two years. The numbers below tell the story. In the two years since Hurricane Sandy devastated New Jersey:

$6.67 billion has been provided to the state of New Jersey for Hurricane Sandy Recovery.

$422.9 million has been distributed to help survivors get back on their feet via temporary housing assistance, disaster

unemployment and other needs assistance.

$3.5 billion has been paid to policyholders for flood claims through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

$1.5 billion in Public Assistance funds has been obligated to communities and certain non-profit organizations for debris

removal, emergency work and permanent work.

$279.5 million in grants has been provided for projects to protect damaged facilities against future disasters.

$123.9 million in funding for property acquisitions, elevation and planning updates has been paid to New Jersey communities

through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

$847.7 million has been approved by the Small Business Administration for SBA disaster loans to 10,726 individuals and

1,718 small businesses.

To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New Jersey visit: fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/plan/public-assist.html. For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/sandy-recovery-office or the New Jersey Sandy Recovery website at http://www.fema.gov/new-jersey-sandy-recovery-0

Original post:

Hurricane Sandy: After Two Years, $6.67 Billion, FEMA Continues N.J. Recovery

FEMA Housing Team Concludes Successful Mission in New Jersey

EATONTOWN, N.J. — Nearly two years after Hurricane Sandy, FEMA officials marked the conclusion of their housing mission in New Jersey.

On September 11, 2014, FEMA returned the last of the Fort Monmouth properties that have housed displaced survivors of Hurricane Sandy since December of 2012. All of the 115 families who occupied the apartments and duplexes on the main post and in the Megill Commons area in Tinton Falls had either returned to their own homes or found a suitable housing alternative.

FEMA, the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and long term recovery groups worked diligently to provide one-on-one assistance to help individuals and families who lived in FEMA direct housing to move back home or find temporary housing.

Additionally, DCA staff actively worked with those families who have received rebuilding funds through the DCA’s Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program to ensure that they were moving through the program as efficiently as possible. The goal was to make sure everyone still living in FEMA direct housing were able to either return home or had temporary housing in place before the August 31, 2014, deadline that FEMA had set on closing out its direct housing program in New Jersey.

Under the Stafford Act approved by Congress, FEMA is authorized to provide direct housing to disaster survivors for up to 18 months following the date of a declared disaster. During that period, households participating in the housing program pay no rent or other fees.

The 18-month period expired on April 30, 2014. At the request of Governor Christie, the federal government granted a four-month extension of the housing program.

Starting May 1, 2014, the households who remained in FEMA-provided units were required to begin paying rent at the fair market rate for the region as determined by the federal Housing and Urban Development Agency. Those households who could not afford to do so were able to submit documentation of assets and expenses in order to qualify for a reduced rental payment.

In addition to those families housed at Fort Monmouth, FEMA also provided 89 mobile housing units for eligible applicants in New Jersey. With the exception of one mobile home that was placed on private property, the units were installed in 10 commercial mobile home parks in the state’s hardest-hit counties All of the residents of the mobile housing units have also either returned to their own homes or found suitable alternate accommodations.

Each household faced individual challenges that often required creative problem-solving. FEMA caseworkers met with each on a regular basis for assistance in developing a suitable long term housing plan. State agencies collaborated with FEMA as well as community and faith-based charities to help secure housing for the families. FEMA, DCA, long term recovery groups, the NJ Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities, the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance and the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency regularly held meetings for months to discuss the individual cases of people who were living in FEMA direct housing, to pool resources to triage cases and to identify temporary housing solutions. On a number of occasions, these individuals and families were driven to look at rental opportunities and meet with landlords to see if the housing unit met their needs.

“It’s very important to have good, strong, compassionate people,” to assist survivors experiencing some of the most trying periods of their lives, noted FEMA Individual Assistance Branch Director Annette Monet.

In some cases, age, illness, financial concerns or family size complicated the task of finding appropriate housing.

With extraordinary efforts and advocacy by the housing team on behalf of survivors, however, all the families were eventually able to secure alternative housing or return to their own homes.

“It took a bunch of very experienced people working together who were very knowledgeable about how things should work to find solutions for all of our families,” noted Monet. “They put all of their ideas together and worked as a team. That’s what you need when it gets down to helping the families help themselves.”

The leasing of the units at the former military base marked an unusual chapter in the history of FEMA’s housing program.

Mayor Gerald Tarantolo of Eatontown was among those who championed the idea of housing survivors displaced by the storm at the former army base. Tarantolo contacted the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to inquire as to whether that would be feasible. The state Economic Development Authority oversees FMERA.

With FMERA support, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management began discussions with the Army and FEMA, which would fund the lease, and an agreement was formulated.

After four weeks of renovations FEMA contracted with the Army Corps of Engineers, move-ins at two buildings on the main post and in larger units in the Megill Commons area of the fort began on December 21, 2012.

On September 16, 2014, the Chief of Staff for the Sandy Recovery Office Chris Hartnett and Carl Kahn of the FEMA acquisitions team presented Lt. Col. John Occhipinti, site manager for Fort Monmouth, with a certificate of appreciation for all his efforts on behalf of Sandy survivors housed at the fort.

In addition to the Direct Housing Mission, FEMA also provided $189 million in Rental Assistance payments to eligible applicants who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy. FEMA also provided 19,321 households with funds for repairs totaling $172.7 million.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, FEMA provided more than 5,500 families with short-term accommodations in 435 hotels and motels around the state through its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. The program provided 253,425 room nights for displaced survivors at a cost of $34 million. The TSA program ended on April 30, 2013.

The Rental Assistance program ended April 30, 2014.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

Originally posted here –

FEMA Housing Team Concludes Successful Mission in New Jersey

Making Strides with Public Projects: Update on PA Top Ten

EATONTOWN, N.J — One of the largest public assistance projects in the history of the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently received final approval for funding.

The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission’s Newark Bay Treatment Plant is the fifth-largest sewage treatment facility in the nation. The plant, which is situated on a low-lying 140 acres at the edge of Newark Bay, treats wastewater, municipal sewage sludge and drinking water sludge from 3.43 million combined residents of New Jersey and New York, serving approximately 25 percent of New Jersey’s population and 15 percent of New York City’s.

Forty-six separate project worksheets were associated with the plant. The FEMA-obligated cost of PVSC’s combined projects is $348,680,241.44, topping the list of New Jersey public assistance applicants.

The facility sustained more than $90 million of damage to everything from generators and internal wiring to support vehicles on the grounds. In addition to the repairs, PVSC plans to build a flood wall that will protect the entire facility from a similar future disaster. That project will require approximately one year to design and 5-6 years to build.

Debris removal was the most costly expense in the days immediately after Hurricane Sandy, and FEMA has obligated more than $203 million to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for Sandy-related remediation and expenses, including $161.4 million for debris removal expenses. The third-highest application total for PA grant funding is the Middlesex County Utilities Authority at $93.7 million.

In New Jersey, FEMA Public Assistance grants for Hurricane Sandy recovery work pay 90 percent of the eligible costs not covered by insurance payouts. FEMA provides the funding to the State of New Jersey for reimbursement to the applicants. Any remaining costs are paid for by the applicant.

Grants also can be used to pay for the repair, reconstruction or replacement of eligible public facilities and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

As of October 3, 2014, FEMA has obligated nearly $1.5 billion for public assistance projects related to Sandy in New Jersey.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

Continue at source:

Making Strides with Public Projects: Update on PA Top Ten

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