fbpx

O’SCANLON ADVISES SANDY AFFECTED HOMEOWNERS TO CONSIDER HOLDING OFF ON CERTAIN MITIGATION WORK

Owners may want to delay elevating houses until FEMA  grants are announced

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon today advised  homeowners affected by Sandy that they may want to hold off on  mitigation repairs until the specifics of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program  (“HMGP”) are announced. The HMGP  provides grants to States and local governments to implement long-term hazard  mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The program enables  mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a  disaster.

 

“These grants can help fund elevating houses  and other, expensive mitigation work,” explained O’Scanlon. “Once the state  advertises that HMGP funding is available for mitigation projects in the state,  those interested in applying to the HMGP should contact their local government  to begin the application process. Local governments should then contact their  State Hazard Mitigation Officer so the needs of each town can be  assessed.

 

HMGP funds may be used to fund projects that  will reduce or eliminate the losses from future disasters. Projects must provide  a long-term solution to a problem, for example, elevation of a home to reduce  the risk of flood damages. In addition, a project’s potential savings must be  more than the cost of implementing the  project

 

“HMGP grants can fund up to 75% of a total  project,” O’Scanlon told. “Homeowners need to seriously think before shelling  out a lot of money to elevate their homes. If they can wait, these grants may be  a great way to offset the costs of expensive mitigation work. While not everyone  is approved for a grant, it looks like New Jersey may be receiving a sizeable amount  of aid from the Sandy Aid Package. It only makes sense for homeowners to  consider these grants as a possible source of assistance when planning expensive  home repairs.”

 

For more information on the HMGP, you can visit http://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.

Posted: January 23rd, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Declan O'Scanlon, FEMA, Hurricane Sandy, Press Release | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on O’SCANLON ADVISES SANDY AFFECTED HOMEOWNERS TO CONSIDER HOLDING OFF ON CERTAIN MITIGATION WORK