Ocean Twp. Seniors Can Sell Flood-Prone Homes, $3.3M Available to Buy Them

More than $3.3 million in federal funding is available for voluntary home buyouts in a flood-prone housing complex for seniors in Ocean Township. 

U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez made the announcement today.  The funding, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be used to acquire and demolish eight sections of a seniors apartment complex that has been repeatedly damaged by floods.  The plan is to remove the complex and restore the area to its natural environment.

"This federal funding will help New Jersey seniors living in a flood prone neighborhood move out of harm's way," said Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds FEMA.  "New Jersey has been battered by Hurricane Irene and other storms in recent years and this federal grant will prevent future damage and create needed open space.  We will continue to fight for disaster relief funding programs to help protect New Jerseyans from dangerous and costly flooding."

"Every year, seniors living in the flood prone area of Ocean Township face the painful consequences of flood damage," said Menendez.  "This funding will help them relocate to safer neighborhoods by allowing for the purchase of their properties.  As we work toward long term solutions to the chronic flooding that affects our state, we must do all we can to keep our residents safe."