A reprieve for Hurricane Sandy Victims still living in hotels.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs says they can stay two more weeks. FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program has been extended.
More than a thousand families in New Jersey are still homeless after the superstorm. Many were worried they would be kicked out of their temporary housing in motels and hotels this weekend.
Melissa Rowbotham says “I hope they’ll extend me for a week or two, at least, because I am getting an apartment, but it’s not ready yet.”
The program, which was supposed to end Saturday, pays for the hotel and motel stays of displaced families while they search for more permanent housing. It is up for renewal every two weeks at the request of the state.
To help the storms victims move out of hotels, the state has been promoting the New Jersey Housing Resource Center, a free service at that connects Sandy survivors with affordable housing. The state Department of Community Affairs has partnered with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the nonprofit Socialserve.com to keep the site frequently updated.
State officials are encouraging owners of rentals to list their units on the website and to adjust their lease terms for the displaced families.
Anyone with questions about their eligibility for the sheltering program should call FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
Sandy victims have until March 1 to register with FEMA, which can be done on the internet at www.disasterassistance.gov or by phone at (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
