Bill Text: NJ SR63 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges HUD to modify rules that require applicants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery aid to cease rebuilding after application date.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-04-28 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [SR63 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR63-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JENNIFER BECK
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator STEPHEN M. SWEENEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Urges HUD to modify rules that require applicants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery aid to cease rebuilding after application date.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to modify certain disaster relief recovery program rules.
Whereas, Superstorm Sandy ravaged the New Jersey shoreline and many other parts of the State in the autumn of 2012, in some cases destroying entire communities, and costing more than $36 billion in damage; and
Whereas, As a result of this disaster, more than 72,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey have been destroyed or damaged, and more than a quarter-million of the State's residents have been forced to seek governmental assistance; and
Whereas, On February 10, 2014, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sent a letter to the New Jersey Commissioner of Community Affairs asserting that federal rules and regulations require applicants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery aid to cease all home rebuilding activities after their application date in order to be reimbursed for the rebuilding costs; and
Whereas, Representatives of HUD have explained that this requirement serves to ensure that historic preservation and other federal requirements are satisfied; and
Whereas, In the more than seventeen months since Superstorm Sandy struck, many storm victims have become frustrated, and desperately want to begin rebuilding their homes and their lives; and
Whereas, Considering the immense damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, and the extensive amount of time that its victims have already been forced to wait for aid in their efforts to rebuild, it is unreasonable for HUD to prevent these storm victims from pursuing rebuilding activities on their own, and moving on with their lives, by refusing to waive or modify rules and regulations that are unreasonable under the circumstances; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is urged to waive or modify rules and regulations that require applicants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery aid to cease rebuilding activities after their application date.
b. The Governors of New Jersey and New York, and each member of the Congressional delegations of New Jersey and New York, are urged to jointly petition the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to waive or modify rules and regulations that require applicants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery aid to cease rebuilding activities after their application date.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this Senate resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested to by the Secretary of the Senate, shall be sent to the Governors of New Jersey and New York, to each member of the Congressional delegations of New Jersey and New York, and to the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
STATEMENT
This Senate resolution urges the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive or modify rules and regulations that require applicants for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) aid to cease rebuilding activities after their application date.
On February 10, 2014, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of HUD sent a letter to the New Jersey Commissioner of Community Affairs. According to the letter, federal rules and regulations require applicants for CDBG-DR funding to cease all home rebuilding activities after their application date in order for them to be reimbursed for the rebuilding costs. Representatives of HUD have explained that this requirement serves to ensure that historic preservation and other federal requirements are met.
Superstorm Sandy has devastated many New Jersey communities, has destroyed or damaged more than 72,000 homes and businesses, and has cost the State more than $36 billion in damage. After more than seventeen months since Superstorm Sandy struck, many storm victims are now frustrated, and desperately want to begin rebuilding their homes and lives.
Considering the immense damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, and the extensive amount of time that its victims have already been forced to wait, it is unreasonable for HUD to refuse to waive or modify rules and regulations that only hinder the recovery process, and are unreasonable under the circumstances.
