Official Site of The State of New JerseyShelters & Relief | American Red Cross
The Red Cross maintains an emergency shelter finder tool available at Disaster Shelters | Find Shelters | American Red Cross.
The Red Cross provides multiple services including assistance for your emotional and financial recovery, and directories of shelter, feeding, and other important sites. Call (800) 507 6058 or visit Get Help - Disaster Relief & Recovery | New Jersey | Red Cross
Recovery Programs | NJ Department of Community Affairs
The NJ Department of Community Affairs will administer $378 million in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist with the recovery from Hurricane Ida. The funds will create housing recovery and mitigation programs to help individuals and communities.
In the HUD-approved Action Plan for $228 million, at least 70 percent of these funds will benefit low- to moderate-income persons or households. To address New Jersey’s substantial housing recovery needs, the State will spend $153 million to support Ida-impacted homeowners and renters.
People can read the Action Plan in English and Spanish on the DCA website at https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/home/Idaactionplan.shtml.
As announced in November 2022, the State of New Jersey will also receive an additional $149.2 million in CDBG-DR funds for Hurricane Ida recovery. Upon issuance of rules from HUD for use of these funds, DCA will draft an amendment to the Hurricane Ida Action Plan to specify how the $149.2 million will be used and will post the amendment for public comment later this year.
DCA anticipates launching the Homeowner Assistance and Recovery Program (HARP), Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, Housing Counseling and Legal Services, and Small Rental Repair Program by March 2023. Other programs will launch in the coming months as well.
DCA will also administer funding from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) dedicated towards housing mitigation efforts. The State will prepare an application to FEMA on behalf of specific properties to request funds to elevate them.
All impacted residents are highly encouraged to complete the Hurricane Ida Registration Survey, which will be required for participation in future recovery programs.
Hurricane Ida Registration Survey
For more information, visit New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) | Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (nj.gov).
Blue Acres (Buyouts) | NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Through Blue Acres, homeowners whose homes are storm-damaged or vulnerable to flooding have the option to sell their property to the State. The program makes both families and communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
For buyout details, FAQs, and to apply, visit dep.nj.gov/blueacres
Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance | NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency
If you have experienced a financial hardship and an increase in housing related expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that created a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure or property tax lien, the Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help.
Applicants who qualify may receive up to $75,000 in assistance.
To apply or for more information, visit New Jersey HAF (njerma.com). For assistance, you may contact the ERMA servicing team at (855) 647 7700 or email HAFServicing@njhmfa.gov.
Disaster Loans | US Small Business Administration
The US Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, small businesses, and non-profits. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.
For more information, call the Office of Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955, email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
To apply, visit disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
Get Flood Insured | National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses to reduce the cost of future flood damage. The NFIP also works with communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations to lessen the impact of future flood damage.
Did you know that most property insurance policies do not cover flood damage? Just one inch of flood water can cause more than $25,000 in damage to your home. Only flood insurance helps you protect your home and savings. For more information on Flood Insurance, visit FloodSmart | Why Buy Flood Insurance?
It's important to protect your most important financial assets — your home, business and possessions. To access the NFIP’s library of flood insurance resources or learn more about purchasing a policy, visit the NFIP Disaster Response webpage on floodsmart.gov.
Insurance Tips & Help | NJ Department of Banking and Insurance
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has released guidance on filing a homeowners insurance or auto insurance claim for storm-related damage, as well as information about flood insurance. For more information, visit DOBI.
Mortgage Assistance | US Department of Housing & Urban Development
If a disaster impacted your ability to afford your mortgage, your lender may be able to help you and you should contact your lender to discuss options. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has more information available on disaster relief for FHA homeowners by visiting HUD Disaster Relief Options for FHA Homeowners | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
For FAQs, visit the FHA-FAQ website and click the Disaster Relief category under the “Borrowers” and “Renters and Other” tabs.
Housing Counseling | US Department of Housing & Urban Development
Housing counseling agencies approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development can help disaster survivors make informed decisions on their housing needs, including renters or homebuyers.
To locate a counseling agency, call HUD’s interactive voice system at 800 569 4287 or visit Housing Counseling Home
