(NEWARK, N.J.) – U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced today that they have sent a letter to President Obama requesting a six-month extension of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) temporary housing assistance for Sandy victims still struggling to recover. Federal funding for these programs are due to expire on April 30, 2014.

“While the majority of participants in these programs have since moved back into permanent residences, some have been less fortunate,” the Senators wrote. “To date, thousands of homeowners remain in limbo waiting for rebuilding grants…. These families do not have a permanent home to return to and instead remain heavily reliant on the temporary housing assistance that they currently receive.

FEMA has provided Sandy victims with both financial and direct assistance under Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This includes temporary housing at the former Fort Monmouth military base and at existing commercial mobile home park pads. In addition, more than 37,000 New Jersey applicants have received rental assistance, including 933 still receiving rental assistance as of February 21, 2014.

“These programs have served as a life raft keeping thousands of New Jersey families above water as they struggle to get back on their feet,” wrote the Senators.

Sens. Menendez and Booker argue that the unprecedented nature of Superstorm Sandy—combined with the state’s delayed recovery—warrants an extension of temporary housing assistance under extraordinary circumstances and in the public interest.

The Senators continued: “While our state has made progress in its recovery, there is still much work to be done.”

Full text of the Senators’ letter follows:

March 5, 2014

President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

RE: FEMA Temporary Housing Assistance

Dear President Obama:

Since Superstorm Sandy struck New Jersey with unprecedented force, you and your administration have played an important role in helping New Jersey get back on its feet and rebuild. While our state has made progress in its recovery, there is still much work to be done. To further our state’s recovery, we write today to join in Governor Chris Christie’s request for a six-month extension of the temporary housing assistance being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under Section 408(c)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, FEMA has provided both financial assistance and direct assistance under Section 408 of the Act. The State received direct assistance with the establishment of temporary housing at the former Fort Monmouth military base, and temporary housing units at existing commercial mobile home park pads. In addition, more than 37,000 applicants have received financial assistance through the rental assistance program, with at least 933 currently receiving rental assistance as of February 21, 2014. These programs have served as a life raft keeping thousands of New Jersey families above water as they struggle to get back on their feet.

While the majority of participants in these programs have since moved back into permanent residences, some have been less fortunate. To date, thousands of homeowners remain in limbo waiting for rebuilding grants from the State, which is significantly stalling their rebuilding efforts. These families do not have a permanent home to return to and instead remain heavily reliant on the temporary housing assistance that they currently receive.

On April 30, 2014, federal funding for these programs will expire. Because of the unprecedented nature of Superstorm Sandy, and because so many residents are still waiting on housing rebuilding grants from the State before they can return to their permanent residences, we believe the situation embodies extraordinary circumstances warranting an extension that will be in the public interest. Accordingly, we ask that you grant a six month extension of FEMA’s temporary housing assistance in accordance with Section 408 of the Stafford Act.

We greatly appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your continued support for New Jersey’s recovery efforts.

Sincerely,

Robert Menendez
United States Senator

Cory Booker
United States Senator