TRENTON – Senators Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer) and Bob Gordon (D-Bergen) today introduced legislation to help low- and moderate-income families and business owners recoup property losses sustained from flooding following Hurricane Irene and subsequent tropical storms.
The bill would establish the Municipal Natural Disaster Relief Grant Program to allow local governments to provide aid to homeowners and small businesses for repairs necessary to occupy the buildings if the costs are not adequately covered by federal assistance granted through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“Even though it has been a couple of months since Hurricane Irene hit the Garden State, families are still feeling the effects of the storm including severe damage to their homes and businesses,” Senator Greenstein said. “While FEMA funds can offer financial relief for victims of the hurricanes, it is often not enough to complete repairs for many of the hardest-hit New Jerseyans’ property. This local grant program will provide much needed funds to make these homes and businesses operational again.”