MIDDLETOWN – The township has given more than $1.2 million in federal grant money to township residents whose homes were substantially damaged by Super Storm Sandy to help with living expenses.
Funding comes from the Super Storm Sandy Homeowner/Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP). The township is the only municipality in New Jersey that has applied and been approved to administer the SHRAP directly to its residents. Since the township begin processing applications earlier this year, 140 qualified residents have received assistance.
Qualified residents, who applied to the program through June 30, may receive up to $15,000 in assistance. Allowable expenses include rent, mortgage and utility payments, appliances, furniture and other necessary household items such as dishes and linens. The program can provide up to six months of housing and related assistance. Payments are not made directly to residents.
Middletown received a $1.5 million slice of Monmouth County’s $9 million SHRAP allocation to assist homeowners struggling to recover from the historic storm. The township’s program is available to residents whose homes were determined be substantially damaged and that need assistance with housing-related expenses.
“I’m very glad the township received approval to administer the SHRAP to our residents who were hit so hard by Super Storm Sandy. The amount of funds expended so far clearly demonstrates the program is sorely needed here,” Mayor Stephanie C. Murray said. “We will continue to do everything we can to help our families recover from the storm.”
The township cannot accept any new applications at this time. The township has requested additional funding so that it can accept new applicants, Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante said.
