Law would provide relocation
assistance to families in need
By linda denicola
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — A new relocation assistance ordinance has been introduced by the Township Committee. The ordinance would establish an Office of Relocation Assistance and also establish the powers and duties of a director.
According to Doug Sanders, assistant township administrator, "The task will be assigned to the public assistance director (RoseAnn Polo). It’s not a high workload or high demand activity, but we have had several instances in the last few years where it has become necessary for us to officially establish a procedure by ordinance."
The purpose of the Office of Relocation Assistance would be to provide fair and equitable treatment to individuals and/or their families who need to relocate in order to satisfy health and safety concerns or other emergencies.
According to the ordinance, the office would be managed by a director appointed by the Township Committee. The duties of the director would be under the supervision of the township administrator and would include determining the needs of the individual or family that must be relocated and to provide assistance in minimizing the hardships to the displaced individuals.
The director would also assist the relocated residents to secure decent, safe and sanitary dwelling units at costs and expenses within their means and within a reasonable time from the date of displacement. The director would coordinate all relocation activities with the appropriate state or county agencies including, but not limited to, the Monmouth County Board of Social Services.
The ordinance also stipulates that the municipality may pay relocation assistance to anyone relocated because of health and safety concerns, damage by fire or other emergency according to laws and pursuant to the relocation assistance fund which may be established.
In addition, the municipality can issue a summons to an owner-landlord of any structure whereby a relocation of an individual or family was necessary or appropriate, and where there has been an illegal occupancy, zoning or housing code violation, or other violation of any state law, regulation or municipal ordinance.
A public hearing, second reading and possible vote on the proposed ordinance will be held at the committee’s Oct. 22 meeting.