By John Burton
TRENTON — The state Department of Community Affairs will open housing recovery centers on Saturday and will operate them in eight counties, including Monmouth County, where a center will be located in Freehold.
The centers – the Freehold center is at 4 Paragon Way – will assist homeowners impacted by Super Storm Sandy to apply for two financial assistance grant programs. Homeowners can apply in person and get help to apply for grants from the Homeowner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program and the Homeowner Resettlement Program.
The RREM, a $600 million program, provides eligible homeowners with up to $150,000 to repair, elevate or rebuild their primary residences. The Homeowner Resettlement program has $180 million available through grants of up to $10,000 to encourage homeowners to remain in their existing primary home or to relocate in the same county.
Along with Monmouth County, centers, which will open at 8 a.m., will be located in Ocean, Atlantic, Hudson, Union, Bergen, Middlesex, Cape May and Essex counties.
Residents from any county can apply at any of the locations. Residents can also apply on line or obtain additional information at www.renewjerseystronger.org or by calling 1-855-SANDYHM (1-855-726-3946).
