TRENTON, N.J. - The Christie Administration today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency s (FEMA) Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program has been extended at the Administration s request for an additional 14 days to the end of February 22, 2013. The extension means eligible people can receive TSA assistance through February 22 with a check-out date of February 23, 2013.
"I thank FEMA for continuing to extend the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program in order to give Sandy-displaced families the time they need to find more permanent housing," said Governor Christie. "We will continue to request extensions until all families in the program have a safe housing solution."
FEMA activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program in the immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy at New Jersey's request. The program allows eligible survivors who cannot return to their homes because of damage caused by the storm to stay in participating hotels or motels until more suitable housing is available.
In an effort to move these families out of hotels and motels and into a more permanent housing situation, the DCA has partnered with the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the American Red Cross, and county welfare agencies to engage in intensive case management in order to better understand and plan for each family s needs, said New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III. We understand that before these families can truly begin to recover from the immense devastation Sandy inflicted on their lives, they need long-term housing stability.
The DCA has also partnered with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and with the non-profit organization Socialserve.com to frequently update and add new rental listings to the New Jersey Housing Resource Center, which is a free service at www.NJHRC.gov for people in search of affordable housing and for landlords who are looking to provide housing.
Owners of rental housing be it furnished or unfurnished, with short-term leases or long-term leases are urged to list available rental units on the Housing Resource Center. FEMA and relief workers are using the online site everyday to aid storm survivors locate housing. Landlords are also encouraged to adjust lease terms if needed to accommodate displaced families.
As of today, approximately 1,300 Sandy-displaced New Jersey residents are being housed through the TSA program. Individuals and households may be eligible for TSA if they register with FEMA for assistance; pass identity verification; have a primary residence located in a geographic area that is designated for TSA; and are displaced from their residence.
Individuals who have questions regarding their eligibility should contact the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA).
To register with FEMA, call the phone number listed above or visit www.disasterassistance.gov on the Internet.