Homeowners displaced by Sandy who have been living in temporary quarters got a reprieve last week when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted a four-month extension for their living arrangements — but for some, it comes at a cost.
Not only will they begin to pay monthly rent as of May 1, some homeowners living at Fort Monmouth since shortly after the storm on Oct. 29, 2012, will be relocated far from home.
In addition, displaced renters living in temporary housing since the storm will not have the April 30 deadline extended, according to FEMA spokesman Alberto Pillot.
To date, FEMA has provided $188 million for housing assistance to New Jersey residents displaced by the storm, according to Pillot. The agency also provides caseworker assistance, including help in finding permanent housing.
Some 57 families remain in units at the former Army base. Karlyn Klem, an Oceanport resident displaced by the storm, was informed that her family will be among 23 families relocated in mid-April. Klem’s family will be moved from the Megill housing on the Eatontown section of Fort Monmouth to a mobile home park in Farmingdale.
“The trailer park … is the plan right now for the Megill people,” she said on March 14. “My question is, ‘Why do I have to be shipped out farther away from where I live to Farmingdale?’
“Why can’t I have the option of going a mile away and paying rent at the main base? Now I’m going to be farther away from my [home] as I rebuild.” According to FEMA spokesman Michael Runestad, the first rent payment will be due June 1 for the month of May.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website, residents of FEMA housing in both Monmouth and Ocean counties will be paying $1,083 for a one-bedroom residence; $1,345 for a two-bedroom; $1,865 for a three-bedroom; and $2,193 for a four-bedroom.
While the housing has been a saving grace for residents displaced by superstorm Sandy, a FEMA statement stresses that the housing was meant to be temporary.
“FEMA’s housing program is provided on a temporary basis following a major disaster until longer-term housing can be secured,” the statement reads.
Pillot confirmed that FEMA is relocating families living in the Megill housing to the mobile home park.
He said the residents are being relocated because the section of the fort where the Megill housing is located is slated to be sold or leased in the coming months. In addition, he said the Megill units have three bedrooms and are better equipped to house larger families than the housing on the Oceanport side of the fort.
Despite being grateful for the fourmonth extension, Sea Bright resident George Finegan said last week he was shocked by the news that he will now have to pay rent.
“That’s going to be cutting into my [money for rebuilding my house],” said Finegan, who will remain living in fort housing along with his wife until they can move into their new home in July.
“We’re still paying mortgage payments on the [destroyed house] that’s about $1,000 per month … but I’m glad we have it for now at least.
“It’s huge for a lot of people, and if I have to keep paying this rent, then I will find the money. It’s just … a lot of people here don’t have two dimes to rub together.
“I dumped all my savings into the pot for the house. It’s not all insurance money.”
Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon, who has advocated for the deadline to be pushed back, said last week he is pleased that the extension has been granted.
“It is gratifying, it is a position supported by my council, along with Mayor [Dina] Long from Sea Bright and other towns,” he said. “That’s really where the effort came together between communities.”
He is hopeful the additional four months will be all that is needed to get the remaining displaced families back into permanent housing.
“I think the pace of the grants has picked up, the insurance money, those issues that were unresolved seem to be coming together,” he said.
Despite her concerns, Klem said she is left with no other choice than to accept the housing assistance.
“My other option is to not accept any help from FEMA and to go find a rental on my own,” she said. “It’s a little hard to do when I’m a homeowner paying my mortgage already, paying my property taxes.”
Pillot said FEMA continues to work with families and will address any concerns Klem may have.
“We are working with the families to facilitate the need,” he said. “FEMA works with them.”
Finegan said that while paying rent is not optimal, he appreciates the support of FEMA personnel at the fort.
“The case managers that work with us have been good and empathetic, fair and understanding,” he said. “It’s been a real weird 18 months.”