The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program list has been reopened for homeowners interested in placement on a waiting list.  Those that applied by or before the March 15, 2013 application deadline will receive first preference for the grant funds.  However, please note that many homeowners drop out of the program due to the long waiting period and there is a good chance that funds will remain.  In addition, homeowners on the waiting list will be submitted for any additional funds that may become available in the future.

If homeowners wish to participate in the program, they are advised to complete the form on this web page and include ALL of the required information. Once complete and accepted, the form will be automatically sent to the appropriate program managers and homeowners will receive a confirmatory email with contact information in it. Prior to completing the form, homeowners need to be aware of the following:

• This is a “competitive” program and funds for the entire program will be limited to a statewide maximum amount which has not yet been determined. No criteria has been established thus far to determine funding priorities either. There is no individual maximum amount you can apply for; however, the reality is that funding will be limited for the program and it is likely that a large percentage of residents will not be able to receive funding once the funds run out statewide. In spite of that fact, we are urging all interested homeowners to apply.

• For homeowners considering raising their homes, FEMA has advised that, in order to qualify, you would have to raise your home to the base flood elevation (BFE) shown in the FEMA “Advisory” Base Flood Elevation maps issued in December of 2013, regardless of whether those elevations ultimately change or not if the maps are revised.

• Under the current FEMA guidelines, funds are NOT available for demolition/rebuilding of homes.

• Under the current FEMA guidelines, property owners are NOT eligible for reimbursement for work already performed. Approval must be granted in advance of any construction.

• Under the program guidelines, grants are limited to 75% and homeowners will be responsible for a 25% match. You are eligible to apply for funding even if you received assistance under the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and funds received under the ICC program CAN be used as part of the required match.

• Assistance under this program is NOT limited to your primary residence.

• FEMA has not set a definitive timeframe for the program. All that is known thus far is that the Township must submit a Letter of Intent by February 8, 2013, to the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management and that information will, in turn, be submitted to the State Office of Emergency Management for formal submittal to FEMA. Based on what we have been told, it is likely that it will be 6 months before funds are available. The Township will update the schedule as it becomes known to us.

The following information posted on this website comes directly from the FEMA website.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program Form